Aerodynamics Engineer

At BETA Technologies, we apply our intellectual curiosity, passion for aviation, and commitment to sustainability toward a shared mission of revolutionizing electric aviation. Regardless of the position one holds, each team member brings their talent and desire to positively impact the environment and lives of others in a refreshing, vibrant, and inclusive culture.

The Aerodynamics Engineer will support the aerodynamic design, analysis, testing, and validation of BETA’s fixed-wing and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. You will develop aerodynamic models and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods; plan and execute wind-tunnel and flight-test activities; and use computational and experimental data to inform aircraft configuration, performance, stability and control, loads, and certification decisions. The engineer will work closely with Flight Sciences, Flight Test, Structures, Flight Controls, Propulsion, and Certification teams to optimize next-generation electric aircraft through a multidisciplinary, first-principles approach. This position will be based onsite at our South Burlington, VT office location, our Raleigh, NC office. Remote candidates may be considered for a hybrid role, with monthly visits to South Burlington, VT for in person work.

How you will contribute to revolutionizing electric aviation:

• Develop and maintain aerodynamic models of varying fidelity to support aircraft design, performance, stability and control, loads, and flight-dynamics analysis
• Prepare, execute, and post-process full-vehicle and subsystem CFD simulations
• Develop and improve CFD pre-processing, post-processing, and automation methodologies to increase the quality, efficiency, and repeatability of aerodynamic analyses
• Lead aerodynamic design studies, including airfoil selection, lifting-surface sizing, lofts and blends, high-lift systems, and aircraft configuration trade studies
• Develop and maintain aircraft drag budgets and performance calculations to support design refinement and vehicle-level requirements
• Plan and support wind-tunnel test campaigns, including development of test objectives, test matrices, instrumentation approaches, flow-visualization studies, and post-processing routines  
• Correlate CFD predictions and low-fidelity aerodynamic models with wind-tunnel and flight-test data; identify discrepancies and drive model and design improvements
• Collaborate with Flight Test to plan, execute, analyze, and document flight-test activities that validate aerodynamic performance, handling characteristics, and vehicle-level requirements
• Balance aerodynamic performance with structural, propulsion, flight-controls, thermal, and certification considerations to make informed aircraft-level design tradeoffs