Aerodynamics engineer

An Aerodynamics Engineer specializes in studying how air interacts with solid objects, particularly aircraft, spacecraft, and vehicles, to optimize their performance, efficiency, and stability. They apply principles of fluid dynamics and physics to minimize drag, maximize lift, and enhance fuel efficiency. Aerodynamics Engineers play a vital role in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy, contributing to innovations in aircraft design, wind turbines, and high-performance vehicles.

Includes people working in aircraft designing.
Includes people working in the automotive and rolling stock industry.

The main duties of an Aerodynamics Engineer include:

• Designing and analyzing aerodynamic components for aircraft, spacecraft, and vehicles.
• Conducting computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to study airflow behavior and pressure distribution.
• Testing scale models in wind tunnels and interpreting experimental data to validate design performance.
• Optimizing shapes, surfaces, and materials to improve stability, lift, and drag characteristics.
• Collaborating with structural, propulsion, and systems engineers to integrate aerodynamic performance into overall design.
• Developing algorithms and tools for aerodynamic modeling and analysis.
• Evaluating the aerodynamic effects of control surfaces, propulsion systems, and environmental conditions.
• Contributing to noise reduction, fuel efficiency, and environmental sustainability projects.
• Preparing technical documentation, reports, and design recommendations for stakeholders.
• Staying updated on advances in CFD, turbulence modeling, and aerodynamics research.

The following job titles also refer to aerodynamics engineer:

aerodynamic engineering consultant
aerodynamic technology engineering consultant
air vehicle dynamics engineer
aerodynamics design engineer
aerodynamic engineering specialist
aerodynamics research engineer
aerodynamic technology engineering expert
aerodynamic technology engineer
aerodynamic engineering adviser
aerodynamic technology engineering adviser
aerodynamics performance engineer
aerodynamic engineer
CFD engineer
aerodynamic engineering expert
aerodynamic technology engineering specialist
wind tunnel engineer
aerodynamicist
aerodynamics test engineer
computational fluid dynamics engineer

Aerodynamics Engineers work primarily in office or laboratory environments, often within aerospace or automotive design centers. They spend much of their time using advanced modeling software and analyzing simulation data. Wind tunnel testing or field trials may require occasional hands-on work or travel to testing facilities. Standard working hours are typical, but deadlines or prototype testing phases may involve extended hours. Collaboration in multidisciplinary teams is common, and strict adherence to safety and quality standards is essential.

A bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or fluid dynamics is required for a role of aerodynamics engineer. Strong academic preparation in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, and computational modeling is essential. A master’s or doctoral degree is advantageous for research-intensive positions. Proficiency in CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or STAR-CCM+ is highly desirable. Experience with wind tunnel testing, simulation tools, and experimental data analysis provides a competitive edge. Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration and familiarity with industry standards (e.g., NASA, EASA, or ISO) can enhance career progression. Analytical ability, precision, and innovation are key skills for success in this field.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Aerodynamics engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to aerodynamics engineer.

container equipment design engineer
packing machinery engineer
automotive designer
fluid power engineer
naval architect

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of aerodynamics engineer.

• Operation of different engines: Know the characteristics, maintenance requirements and operating procedures of various kinds of engines such as gas, diesel, electrical, and engines with steam propulsion plants.
• Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
• Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
• Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
• Physics: The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
• Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
• Aerodynamics: The scientific field that deals with the way gases interact with moving bodies. As we usually deal with atmospheric air, aerodynamics is primarily concerned with the forces of drag and lift, which are caused by air passing over and around solid bodies.
• CAE software: The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.
• Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
• ICT software specifications: The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.
• Multimedia systems: The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.
• Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
• Engine components: Know the different engine components, and their operation and maintenance. Understand when repairs and replacement should be undertaken.

These skills are necessary for the role of aerodynamics engineer.

• Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
• Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
• Adjust engineering designs: Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
• Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
• Use technical drawing software: Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
• Examine engineering principles: Analyse the principles that need to be considered for engineering designs and projects such as functionality, replicability, costs and other principles.
• Read engineering drawings: Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
• Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
• Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
• Evaluate engine performance: Read and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.
• Approve engineering design: Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aerodynamics engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Material mechanics: The behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.
• Mechanics of vessels: The mechanics involved in boats and ships. Understand the technicalities and participate in discussions over related topics in order to solve problems related to the mechanics.
• Aircraft mechanics: Technicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repairs in aircrafts.
• Bicycle mechanics: Technicalities over mechanics in bicycles and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repairs in bicycles.
• Mechanics of motor vehicles: The way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles.
• Thermodynamics: The branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy..
• Mechanics of trains: Possess basic knowledge of the mechanics involved in trains, understand the technicalities and participate in discussions on related topics in order to solve problems related to the mechanics.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aerodynamics engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Analyse stress resistance of products: Analyse the ability of products to endure stress imposed by temperature, loads, motion, vibration and other factors, by using mathematical formulas and computer simulations.
• Conduct performance tests: Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.
• Determine production feasibility: Determine if a product or its components can be produced by applying engineering principles.

2144 – Mechanical engineers 

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 References

1. Aerodynamics engineer – ESCO
2. What is an aerodynamics engineer | Indeed.com
3. Aerodynamics engineer | This is Engineering
4. Featured image: Photo by ThisIsEngineering