Lead Aerodynamics Engineer

What you'll do

• Lead the design and optimisation of the vehicle's aeroloft to meet static stability, target aerodynamic coefficients, and dynamic stability requirements across all flow regimes, from subsonic through hypersonic.
• Own the aerodynamic shaping trade space, balancing performance, stability, and manufacturability constraints against mission requirements.
• Develop and run CFD, engineering-level, and semi-empirical aerodynamic models to characterise vehicle performance across the full flight envelope.
• Define and refine aerodynamic coefficient databases for use in guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) design and vehicle performance analysis.
• Assess dynamic stability and control derivatives across flow regimes, identifying and resolving stability margins issues early in design.
• Work closely with Systems, GNC, Structures, and Propulsion teams to ensure aeroloft decisions are integrated with wider vehicle architecture and requirements.
• Support correlation of simulation and modelling outputs against wind tunnel and flight test data, feeding lessons learned back into design.
• Set technical direction and best practice for aerodynamic design and simulation methods as the discipline lead.
• Communicate aerodynamic performance, risk, and trade-off decisions clearly to engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Who you are

• A Senior Aerodynamicist with a track record of leading aeroloft design and optimisation on high-speed or hypersonic vehicle programmes.
• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautics, or a related discipline; advanced degree (MSc/PhD) in aerodynamics or a related field is advantageous.
• Deep expertise across the full flow regime spectrum, subsonic, transonic, supersonic, and hypersonic, including their distinct modelling and design challenges.
• Strong hands-on capability with CFD tools and aerodynamic simulation methods, and sound judgement on when to apply high-fidelity versus engineering-level approaches.
• Experience developing and validating aerodynamic coefficient databases used for stability and control analysis.
• Strong grasp of static and dynamic stability principles and their translation into practical shaping decisions.
• Comfortable operating with a high degree of ownership, setting direction for the aerodynamics discipline rather than executing a narrowly defined scope.
• Excellent communicator, able to defend design decisions and trade-offs to technical and non-technical stakeholders alike.

Security and Eligibility Requirement

Due to the nature of the work with the UK MOD, applicants must be a British Citizen (or Dual UK national with British citizenship) and eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC) and, where required, Developed Vetting (DV)

What we offer

• A mission driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequential defencechallenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security.

• Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, and defence, with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow.

• High ownership and autonomy; no time tracking, no micromanagement, justclear objectivesand accountability for outcomes.

• A fast pacedenvironment where good ideasare implemented quickly, and feedback from test and flight drives real decisions.

• A culture that values clarity, integrity, and excellence, and supports people who take initiative and push boundaries responsibly.

• Competitive compensation and real share options aligned to responsibility and impact, not tenure or hierarchy.