Helsing
defence AI
AerodynamicUAVSimulationEngineer
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid+ candidates.
“Aerodynamic UAV Simulation Engineer at Helsing. Skills: Aerodynamic analysis, UAV simulation, CFD, Python. Own aerodynamic analysis and characterisation of UAV platforms. Combine high-fidelity CFD with low-fidelity methods”
What You'll Achieve.
Own the aerodynamic analysis and characterisation; Support design decisions across the full development cycle; Generate and maintain aerodynamic databases; Validate simulation outputs against physical test data; Shape airframe design from early concept through to flight-ready hardware; Reduce manual effort and accelerate design iteration cycles; Own outcomes end-to-end; Initiate solutions without waiting for direction
Industry & Context.
Solve the most complex and impactful problems; Resolve complex flow behaviours; Improve solver accuracy; Initiate solutions without waiting for direction
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
analysed and characterised aerodynamic performance of UAVs or light aerospace systems using both low-fidelity tools such as OpenVSP/VSPAERO, XFLR5/XFOIL and AVL, and commercial CFD packages such as ANSYS Fluent, StarCCM+ or OpenFOAM, planned and executed physical validation test campaigns, including sensor instrumentation setup and post-test data correlation, bridging simulation outputs and measured results into improved solver accuracy, Apply a working understanding of subsonic flight mechanics, boundary layer physics, wing design and rotorcraft-induced flow fields to inform practical design decisions, Write scripting workflows in Python or MATLAB that automate simulation processing, geometric parametrisation and data visualisation across complex aerodynamic analyses, Act decisively with minimal guidance, own outcomes end-to-end and initiate solutions without waiting for direction
Nice to Have
Experience contributing to conceptual airframe design trade studies, translating aerodynamic data into configuration-level recommendations for multidisciplinary engineering teams, Familiarity with rotor-airframe interaction modelling and the specific aerodynamic challenges of hybrid or transitioning UAV configurations
What You'll Do.
Own aerodynamic analysis and characterisation of UAV platforms
Combine high-fidelity CFD with low-fidelity methods
Support design decisions across development cycle
Generate and maintain aerodynamic databases
Feed databases into flight dynamics
Validate simulation outputs against physical test data
Shape airframe design from concept to hardware
run low-fidelity aerodynamic models
Evaluate early-stage concept designs
Execute high-fidelity 3D CFD simulations
Resolve complex flow behaviours
deliver aerodynamic databases
Ensure data quality and traceability
Define and plan physical test setups
Execute validation tests
Correlate sensor data to simulation models
Participate in airframe design reviews
Provide quantitative aerodynamic feedback
Inform structural and configuration trade-off decisions
Contribute to automation of simulation pipeline
Script CAD-to-solver workflows
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Support design decisions across the full development cycle; Generate and maintain aerodynamic databases that feed directly into flight dynamics, control law and simulation workflows; Validate simulation outputs against physical test data; Working at the intersection of computational analysis and hands-on test; Executing validation tests in close collaboration with the Test Department; Participate in airframe design reviews, providing quantitative aerodynamic feedback and guidance to Mechanical and Systems Engineering teams; Contribute to the automation of the simulation pipeline by scripting CAD-to-solver workflows in Python or MATLAB; Experience contributing to conceptual airframe design trade studies, translating aerodynamic data into configuration-level recommendations for multidisciplinary engineering teams
Process & Methodology
Own outcomes end-to-end, Initiate solutions without waiting for direction
Full Job Description
Who we are Helsing is a defence AI company. Our mission is to protect our democracies. We aim to achieve technological leadership, so that open societies can continue to make sovereign decisions and control their ethical standards. As democracies, we believe we have a special responsibility to be thoughtful about the development and deployment of powerful technologies like AI. We take this responsibility seriously. We are an ambitious and committed team of engineers, AI specialists and customer-facing programme managers. We are looking for mission-driven people to join our European teams – and apply their skills to solve the most complex and impactful problems. We embrace an open and transparent culture that welcomes healthy debates on the use of technology in defence, its benefits, and its ethical implications. The role As Aerodynamic UAV Simulation Engineer, you will own the aerodynamic analysis and characterisation of current and future drone platforms, combining high-fidelity CFD with fast-running low-fidelity methods to support design decisions across the full development cycle. You will generate and maintain aerodynamic databases that feed directly into flight dynamics, control law and simulation workflows, and validate simulation outputs against physical test data. Working at the intersection of computational analysis and hands-on test, your work shapes airframe design from early concept through to flight-ready hardware. The day-to-day Build, calibrate and run low-fidelity aerodynamic models using Panel Methods, Vortex Lattice Methods and 2D boundary layer tools to rapidly evaluate early-stage concept designs, while executing high-fidelity 3D CFD simulations to resolve complex flow behaviours including rotor-wing interactions and fuselage drag Generate, maintain and deliver comprehensive aerodynamic databases to Flight Dynamics, Control Law and Simulation teams, ensuring data quality and traceability meet programme requirements at each design milestone Define
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