Aero Performance CFD Engineer

Job SummaryGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.We have an exciting opportunity for an Aero Performance CFD Engineer in the San Diego (Poway, CA) area. In this role, you will contribute directly to the design and development of next-generation unmanned aircraft platforms. Responsibilities include leading high-fidelity CFD analyses to support conceptual sizing, preliminary and detailed design, aerodynamic database development, and performance modeling, as well as supporting wind tunnel test planning, execution, and data correlation. This position offers competitive benefits, including 9/80 work schedule, medical, dental, employer-matched 401(k), pension plan, employee referral program, and more.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Lead CFD studies across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed aircraft design phasesDefine appropriate aerodynamic modeling strategies and fidelity levels across program maturityDevelop high-fidelity 6DOF aerodynamic databases, including force and moment coefficients, control effectiveness, hinge moments, and propulsion-airframe interaction effectsPerform unsteady and maneuver-based CFD simulations to evaluate flight risk and concept feasibilityConduct aerodynamic trade studies and sensitivity analyses to inform configuration-level decisionsSupport wind tunnel and flight test planning; correlate CFD predictions to experimental dataMentor junior engineers in aerodynamic modeling best practices and engineering judgmentContribute to internal toolchain development, workflow automation, and advanced modeling capabilityParticipate in internal and customer-facing design reviews, test readiness reviews, flight briefings, and technical meetings.Contribute to a broad swath of novel aircraft platforms ranging from Small Unmanned Air Systems (SUAS) to Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.Job CategoryEngineeringTravel Percentage Required0% - 25%Full-Time/Part-TimeFull-Time SalaryStateCaliforniaClearance LevelSecretPay Range Low105,890CityPowayClearance Required?DesiredPay Range High189,545Recruitment Posting TitleAero Performance CFD EngineerJob QualificationsTypically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.Demonstrated applied experience using high-fidelity Navier-Stokes CFD solvers for aircraft aerodynamicsExperience running CFD simulations on high-performance computing (HPC) clustersStrong foundational understanding of turbulence modeling, numerical methods, solver limitations, and modeling assumptionsDemonstrated ownership of complete CFD workflows, including CAD preparation, mesh generation, solver setup, convergence assessment, and force/moment extractionExperience developing aerodynamic databases for flight mechanics, stability & control, or performance analysisStrong programming proficiency in Python and MATLAB for scientific computing and workflow automationAbility to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearanceAbility to work on-site during normal business hours for indeterminate periods of time as dictated by program security requirements.PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:Experience with gradient-based and gradient-free optimization applied to aerodynamic shape optimization problemsExperience developing surrogate or reduced-order models for rapid aerodynamic performance estimationDemonstrated validation, verification, and uncertainty quantification (UQ) of aerodynamic modelsExperience with statistical methods for design space exploration and sensitivity analysisExperience using or developing lower-fidelity aerodynamic tools (e.g., AVL, XFOIL, MSES), including understanding of their appropriate use and limitationsApplied experience running unsteady and multi-body CFD simulations.Experience with experimental aerodynamic data processing and CFD correlationExperience contributing to production-quality engineering software using modern development practicesActive DoD Secret, or higher, security clearance.US Citizenship Required?YesExperience LevelSenior (8+ years)Relocation Assistance Provided?YesWorkstyleHybrid