Lead Aerodynamics Engineer (UAV/Drone Systems)

Are you passionate about R&D, who is driven to bring real impact and enjoy taking research from concept to real-world development? Our company is a global multicultural privately-owned new-generation Research Center founded in Eindhoven, Netherlands, in 2025. Our mission is to develop cutting-edge solutions at the intersection of modern technology and emerging markets.

The Lead Aerodynamics Engineer is responsible for the aerodynamic design, optimization, and performance validation of fixed-wing, VTOL, and hybrid UAV platforms. This role ensures that airframe geometry, lifting surfaces, and rotor/propeller systems meet stringent performance, efficiency, and regulatory requirements. The engineer will collaborate closely with structures, controls, propulsion, and systems engineering teams to deliver high-fidelity aerodynamic solutions from concept through flight testing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Aerodynamic Design & Optimization

• Develop and optimize aerodynamic shapes for wings, fuselages, nacelles, pylons, and control surfaces to maximize lift-to- drag ratio and overall efficiency.
• Define aerodynamic configurations for both fixed-wing and VTOL platforms, including transition flight behavior and coupled wing–rotor interactions.
• Design and analyze propellers and rotors using methods such as BEMT, focusing on thrust, efficiency, and noise reduction.

Simulation & Data Analysis

• Perform CFD analyses using tools such as ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, or OpenFOAM to evaluate flow behavior, wake interactions, and pressure distributions.
• Build aerodynamic datasets for performance prediction, stability and control, handling qualities, and structural load cases.
• Correlate and validate CFD results against wind tunnel and flight test data.

Performance & Flight Mechanics

• Predict aerodynamic performance metrics (endurance, range, power consumption) across relevant flight regimes.
• Model complex flow interactions for VTOL systems, including rotor downwash, transition phases, and propeller/rotor–airframe interactions.
• Support flight dynamics modeling using MATLAB/Simulink and/or Python-based toolchains.

Structural & Systems Integration (FSI)

• Collaborate with structural teams using coupled fluid–structure interaction (FSI) approaches to validate aerodynamic loads and ensure structural integrity.
• Provide aerodynamic inputs for structural sizing, fatigue analysis, and certification-level load cases.

Experimental Validation

• Plan, support, and analyze wind tunnel testing, bench thrust tests, and flight test data collection.
• Validate aerodynamic models and refine datasets based on empirical measurements.

Certification & Documentation

• Generate and maintain aerodynamic documentation for internal design reviews, external certification panels, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide technical leadership in multidisciplinary design reviews and concept evaluations.

Requirements

• MSc or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Aerodynamics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in aerodynamic design and simulation for aircraft or UAV systems.
• Strong proficiency with CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) and CFD solvers (ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM).
• Solid understanding of flight mechanics, turbulence modeling, and aerodynamic fundamentals.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing and integrating wind tunnel and/or flight test data.
• Proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB for data processing, automation, and model development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with VTOL or hybrid UAV configurations and transition-flight aerodynamics.
• Hands-on experience with propeller/rotor aerodynamic design and testing.
• Familiarity with Agile and/or MBSE practices in multidisciplinary aircraft development.
• Experience supporting aircraft certification processes or interfacing with regulatory bodies.

Soft Skills & Leadership

• Strong technical communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to guide junior engineers and lead aerodynamic work packages end-to-end.
• Proactive, collaborative, and effective in cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams.
• Ready for relocation in Netherlands

Benefits

Why Join Us?

This is an exceptional opportunity to bring your own daring concepts to life. What sets KRUSH Labs apart is our ability to bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world application.

Working alongside top talent brings your expertise to a new height. Our Engineers are passionate researchers and PhD scientists who are driven to bring real impact.

We build solutions for specific needs. We work to address existing challenges of a client to ensure they receive practical, high-performance solutions.