Flight Physics Engineer

Job Title: Flight Physics Engineer

Company: Grid.aero

Location: Onsite 4 days/week [San Leandro, CA]

About Grid.aero

Grid.aero is building the next generation of autonomous aviation systems for defense and commercial applications. Led by experienced aerospace and technology operators and backed by leading venture investors, we solve hard operational problems at the intersection of autonomy, resilient logistics, and scalable air mobility. We move quickly, operate with urgency, and build systems designed for real-world deployment where small teams own meaningful problems end-to-end.

Read this, we mean it → Above all, we look for exceptional builders with deep internal drive, massive throughput, hopeless optimism, and a relentless growth mindset. The people who thrive at Grid operate with urgency, learn quickly, adapt fast, and are energized by hard problems with no obvious answers. We value individuals who continuously push themselves and the team around them to improve.

This is an opportunity to work on products with national and global impact alongside a collaborative team that values technical excellence, execution, and mission focus.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Flight Physics and Configuration Engineer to lead the aerodynamic analysis and modeling of Grid Aero's Lifter UAS. In this role, you'll play a key role in the development of the aircraft configuration and analysis for our prototype and production designs. This is a chance to contribute from the ground up while working alongside experienced aerospace founders and some of the best minds in the space.

As an early hire, you'll help lay the foundation for the company's future growth, both technically and organizationally. You'll have full visibility into our mission, work closely with leadership, and be empowered to drive innovation. If you're excited about building something world-changing and want to play a critical role in shaping an early-stage company, this opportunity is for you.

What You'll Do

• Scope: You will lead the aerodynamic analysis of the aircraft configuration including sizing, loads and design trade studies.
• Collaborate: You will work cooperatively with an incredibly talented and kind team of systems, GNC, propulsion, and software engineers to identify, simplify, and solve complex problems.
• Design: You will swiftly generate and analyze aircraft designs using first-principles and advanced engineering analysis methods as required. You will predict, optimize, and validate system performance using simulation and test.
• Build: You will help select and manage tool chains for analysis and design with aircraft life-cycle in mind.
• Test: You will also support the modeling of the aircraft for simulation and validation of physics modelling via ground and flight tests.
• Document and Communicate: You will document and communicate your engineering with models, design reviews, and reports across teams, and manage configuration changes at the aircraft outer-mold-line level.
• Support: You will support aircraft development through production and into flight test to ensure the aircraft meets its intended performance requirements.
• Improve: You will iterate to improve design and analysis tools, and update analysis results with appropriate changes. You will use and develop analyses using tools of different fidelity levels.

Key Qualifications

• Aerodynamic & Simulation Modeling: 3–5+ years of experience in aerodynamic modeling in support of aircraft design and configuration development, including generating dynamic aero-models and propulsion modeling for flight simulators
• Engineering Background: Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering with substantial aircraft development experience.
• First-Principles Aerospace Foundations: Deep understanding of classical flight mechanics, aircraft performance, dynamic stability, and ground-to-flight transitions (e.g., pitching moments, gear contact mechanics, elevator effectiveness vs. CG location, and mass properties).
• Multi-Fidelity Modeling & Problem Partitioning: Proven ability to select and apply the right level of modeling fidelity (first-principles, empirical formulas, VLM, and CFD) based on engineering constraints—knowing when high-fidelity CFD is necessary versus using a lower-fidelity method..
• CAD/PLM Familiarity: Familiarity with CAD/PLM software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, 3DExperience, Blender or similar) to import/export geometries for mesh generation and visualization.
• Communication & Teamwork: Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment, while thinking critically of aircraft level trade-offs.
• Travel: Ability to occasionally travel to test sites as needed for validation of your analyses.
• Legal Requirement: Due to U.S. export control laws, candidates must be U.S. persons (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents).

Preferred Qualifications

• Flight Test & Ground Truth Validation: Direct experience correlating aerodynamic predictions against real-world test data (wind tunnel or flight test) and root-causing physical discrepancies.
• Interdisciplinary Problem Solving: Demonstrated history of identifying and resolving design or test anomalies through close interdisciplinary interaction with GNC, structures, propulsion, or flight test teams.
• Full Lifecycle Aircraft/UAV Experience: Hands-on involvement in a fixed-wing or VTOL aircraft/UAV program spanning early configuration design through hardware flight testing.
• Advanced CFD & Toolchain Proficiency: Proficiency with viscous, turbulent CFD analyses (e.g., OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent) and vortex lattice methods for 3-D aerodynamic analyses including propeller modeling via analytical and computational methods.
• Advanced Degree: Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering.

Compensation

$150k -$180k / 0.1-0.8% Equity

Equal Opportunity Employer

Grid.aero is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees regardless of race, color, religion, gender, orientation, or status.

Legal Notice:

Grid.aero is committed to complying with U.S. export control laws. Due to the nature of our work, candidates must be U.S. persons (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).