Aerodynamics Engineer
San Diego, California /
Engineering – Engineering /
Full-time
/ Hybrid
What We’re About:
Aeromutable is a fast-growth, venture capital-backed startup that boosts the fuel efficiency and profitability of the trucking industry, while reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. We are focused on the design and manufacture of aerodynamic enhancement systems that increase vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. Aeromutable has developed a non-intrusive trailer add-on system that, through dynamic air injection, significantly improves aerodynamic performance of semis. We love what we do and are excited to grow our team as we work to make our technology an industry standard.
The Role:
Aeromutable is seeking an Aerodynamics Engineer that is experienced with both internal and external flow analysis to join our San Diego, CA based team. You will be a direct contributor to the development of groundbreaking technologies for the trucking industry and will report directly to our co-founder and COO, Sandy Manosalvas-Kjono. Sandy is a proven and experienced leader who gained experience prior to co-founding Aeromutable as an R&D project manager and her appreciation for aerodynamics flying helicopters for the US Navy. Your knowledge and experience will help us accelerate Aeromutable’s plan to bring our technology to market. You will work in a lean environment, leveraging external design firms, and have a direct impact on design and manufacturing decisions. This is a great opportunity for a dynamic and curious engineer that has exceptional theoretical knowledge of fluid dynamics, experience using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), setting up and running fluid dynamics experiments, and has an appreciation for data driven design and optimization. In this role, you will use your skills and passion for engineering to plan, conduct, and manage engineering design and development of novel technologies with a direct impact on the economy and the environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
- Work alongside a team of engineers and contractors to develop groundbreaking aerodynamic modification technology for the trucking industry
- Build numerical domains, run simulations, and post-process simulation data
- Perform numerical simulations on various ground vehicle geometries
- Perform numerical simulations of internal flows
- Develop processes to perform shape optimization using numerical and experimental data
- Use Python to perform data analysis and contribute towards the development of data management protocols
- Design and execute experiments to validate numerical simulations and refine boundary conditions
- Predict flow behavior based on geometrical features and use lower-fidelity approaches to quickly validate predictions
- Perform back of the envelope calculations using fluid dynamic principles to guide the analysis of aerodynamic features and vehicle behavior
- Design mechanisms to collect data in on-road and on-track test conditions in order to validate numerical simulations and test hypotheses
- Use CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred) to build and modify solid and surface geometries
- Collaborate cross-functionally, communicate effectively, problem solve, think analytically, and make data-driven decisions
- Analyze and document test and simulation results; present findings
Required Education & Experience:
- BS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent
- Expert knowledge of fluid dynamics
- A track record of design work based on fluid dynamics principles
- Detailed knowledge of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) fundamentals
- Familiarity with commercial and open source CFD platforms (Fluent, StarCCM+, Cadence, OpenFoam, SU2, Solidworks CFD, etc)
- Understanding of experimental fluid mechanics and familiarity with wind tunnel, road and track testing methods and instrumentation
- Familiarity with using CAD software (SolidWorks preferred)
- Ability to work towards challenging, dynamic goals with minimal supervision
- Experience with Python for data analysis and process automation
- Ability to communicate effectively using both oral and written communication to present information in one-on-one and group situations to customers, clients, and other employees at all levels of the organization
- Experience with MS Office and G-Suite tools
Preferred Qualifications:
- MS or higher in Aerospace engineering, Mechanical engineering, or equivalent with concentration in fluid dynamics
- 3+ years of relevant engineering experience
- Automotive or Motorsport industry experience
- Previous experience with ground vehicle aerodynamics, turbomachinery analysis, and shape optimization
- Experience with on-road aerodynamic analysis
- Experience with gradient-based and gradient-free optimization techniques
- Experience with state-of-the-art surrogate modeling techniques
- A passion for sustainable energy or related technologies
- Experience in startup environments
You will thrive in Aeromutable’s culture if:
- You are an independent thinker who is excited to work at a fast-growing start-up
- You want to be part of a mission-driven team focused on improving the economy and the environment through innovation
- You are able to move quickly and think creatively in a highly ambiguous environment
- You are comfortable in less-structured environments
- You are detail-oriented and produce high-quality work
- You are a nice human
