Lead Aerodynamics Engineer
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Engineering – Aerodynamics /
Full-Time /
On-site
At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before.
Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.
Role Overview
As Lead Aerodynamics Engineer, you’ll own the aerodynamic heart of our vehicles - from early concept to production-ready designs. Seagliders operate in multiple flight regimes - displacement, hydrofoiling, and wing-borne ground effect - each with its own unique aerodynamic challenges. You’ll lead the technical execution across conceptual design, CFD simulation, trade studies, and physical validation, ensuring our vehicles meet the highest standards for performance, efficiency, and safety.
This is a role for someone who loves both rolling up their sleeves for detailed analysis and stepping back to guide the broader aerodynamic vision. You’ll mentor early career engineers, shape best practices, and work hand-in-hand with structures, controls, and certification teams to deliver validated aerodynamic designs for Viceroy and future vehicle variants. You’ll also represent the aerodynamic function in design reviews, test planning, and customer discussions - translating technical insight into clear, actionable decisions.
The work you do will directly determine how fast, far, and safely seagliders can travel, shaping the passenger experience, operational economics, and environmental footprint for years to come.
If you want to be at the forefront of creating an entirely new mode of transportation and your idea of a good day is solving problems no one has solved before, we’d be excited to have you join the team!
What You’ll Do
- Invent at the Edge of Air & Sea: Drive aerodynamic design for a vehicle that operates in coupled marine–aerospace environments - from low-speed displacement to high-speed ground effect.
- Turn CFD into Capability: Build and refine CFD workflows that allow us to rapidly explore, trade, and optimize designs - then validate them through wind tunnel, sea trials, and flight testing.
- Translate Performance into Experience: Deliver aerodynamic data that informs GNC tuning, structural optimization, and propulsion integration, ensuring every design choice connects to mission outcomes.
- Lead & Grow Talent: Mentor junior engineers, codify best practices, and raise the aerodynamic capability of the entire team.
- Be the Voice of Aerodynamics: Represent the discipline in design reviews, program milestones, customer engagements, and regulatory discussions.
- Drive for Firsts: Identify risks early, test relentlessly, and keep pushing until our aerodynamic performance sets the benchmark for the industry.
What You’ll Bring
- Strong technical foundation in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related fields, with demonstrated professional experience in aerodynamic design, analysis, and testing for aircraft, marine craft, or advanced mobility vehicles.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a technical team while also contributing directly to high-impact analysis and design.
- Proven mastery of CFD-based analysis with hands-on experience using tools such as Star-CCM+, Numeca, high performance computing, and scripting.
- Proficiency in CAD-integrated workflows and geometry parametrization (e.g., Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Catia)
- Deep understanding of blown wing lift systems, flow separation, and ground effect phenomena
- Familiarity with wind tunnel testing, and test flight data validation methods
- Skilled in translating CFD output into usable performance data for GNC, propulsion, and structural subsystems
- Comfortable defining and delivering design requirements that impact safety-critical systems
Bonus Experience
- Deep proficiency in Star-CCM+ including meshing strategy, automation workflows, and parametric studies
- Experience with Numeca for viscous, multiphase, or near-surface simulations
- Familiarity with wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) aerodynamics, hydrofoil-airfoil coupling, and aeroelasticity
- Experience leading model identification and validation through physical testing
- Understanding of multidisciplinary optimization (MDO) and scripting for automated design evaluation
- Experience working with regulators on certification documentation and compliance of aerodynamic data
Who We're Looking For
- Collaborative Team Player: You believe that great things happen when teams work together. You communicate effectively and collaborate with engineers, stakeholders, and other cross-functional teams to align on goals and move projects forward. You bring people together, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and moving towards a shared vision.
- Creative Problem Solver: You thrive on tackling complex challenges and finding innovative solutions. Whether it’s refining CFD workflows, resolving complex air–sea integration challenges, or streamlining validation processes, you approach every problem with creativity, precision, and determination. You’re able to address immediate needs while also planning for future scalability and efficiency.
- Adaptable & Agile: In a fast-paced, ever-evolving startup environment, you quickly adapt to changing priorities and requirements. You approach challenges with a calm, resilient mindset, and know how to pivot and adjust your approach as needed, ensuring that progress continues without missing a beat.
- Innovative Mindset: You’re driven by curiosity and a passion for technology. You’re passionate about driving continuous improvement, embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and team performance.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation including a robust equity incentive plan.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance - we cover 100% of your premiums.
- 401(k) with company matching, so you can plan for the future.
- Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks.
- Relocation packages available for those moving to join our team.
- Daily, free catered lunches
- Learning & professional development opportunities
If you’re ready to take on an exciting challenge, grow with us, and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, but you see yourself contributing to our mission, we encourage you to apply! We value diverse skillsets and experiences and believe in the potential of passionate individuals to make a big impact.
Equal Opportunity Employer
REGENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
