Aerodynamic Systems Engineer

Title: Aerodynamic Systems Engineer Company: Heven AeroTech Location: Bingen, Washington FLSA: Exempt About Our Company: At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don’t just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we’ve earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence. We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart —those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team. Role Summary: The Aerodynamic Systems Engineer will support the design, analysis, and verification of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) through computational and experimental aerodynamic evaluation. This role is responsible for developing and validating aerodynamic requirements, performing airflow simulations, and ensuring vehicle performance, stability, and control characteristics meet program requirements throughout the design lifecycle. The engineer will work cross-functionally with structures, propulsion, controls, and systems engineering teams to deliver integrated, flight-worthy aerodynamic solutions from concept through flight test. Essential Responsibilities: Perform aerodynamic analysis of UAS airframes, including lift, drag, stability, and control derivatives, using CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM) and/or panel/vortex-lattice methods (e.g., AVL, XFLR5, Tornado) Develop and maintain aerodynamic databases and 6-DOF simulation inputs to support flight dynamics and controls modeling Define, allocate, and verify aerodynamic performance requirements at the vehicle and subsystem level, ensuring traceability through design reviews Support wind tunnel test planning, execution, data reduction, and correlation with computational predictions Conduct design verification activities including analysis, simulation, and test to substantiate compliance with aerodynamic and performance requirements Evaluate airflow characteristics around airframes, control surfaces, propulsion integration points, and external stores/payloads Collaborate with structures and propulsion teams on aero-structural interactions, loads development, and aero-propulsive integration Support vehicle configuration trade studies, including planform, control surface sizing, and stability margins Generate technical reports, analysis memos, and presentations to communicate findings to internal stakeholders and customers Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and provide aerodynamic technical input and risk assessments Support flight test planning and post-flight data analysis to validate aerodynamic predictions Contribute to the development and improvement of internal aerodynamic analysis tools, workflows, and best practices Qualifications & Experience: Required: Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field 1–8 years of relevant experience in aerodynamics, CFD, or flight vehicle design (commensurate with role level) Working knowledge of aerodynamic fundamentals: lift/drag prediction, stability and control, boundary layer behavior, compressibility effects Hands-on experience with CFD software (e.g., Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, CFD++) or aerodynamic prediction tools (e.g., AVL, XFOIL, Missile DATCOM, Digital DATCOM) Proficiency in a scripting/programming language (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for data analysis and automation Understanding of requirements development, verification methods, and technical documentation practices Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills Ability to work in a cross-functional engineering team environment S. Person sta…