What is JetZero?
Today’s aircraft contribute around 4% of global CO2 emissions, equivalent to the emissions of 200 million cars. This is only going to increase: Air travel is forecasted to double by 2050, while meaningful efficiency gains using current airplanes have hit a wall.
JetZero is developing a blended-wing body (BWB) aircraft. It uses up to 50% less fuel and will be built to accommodate zero-emission hydrogen propulsion. JetZero is the inevitable solution to sustainable air travel.
The JetZero Team
We are experienced aerospace professionals and engineers, excited about the future. That future will only be possible if we share our vision and what it means to people’s lives: carbon-free flight that' is better for both passengers and airlines around the world.
The Role
The Aerodynamics Lead owns the aerodynamic design, development, and validation of JetZero’s blended wing body configuration, from concept through wind tunnel, flight test, and 14 CFR Part 25 certification. This role is JetZero’s technical authority on aerodynamics, setting the CFD methods and standards behind the work and delivering the aerodynamic databases that the performance, stability and control, loads, and simulation teams build on. The ideal candidate combines hands-on depth in CFD and shape optimization with the judgment to arbitrate aerodynamic trades against structures, propulsion, and flight controls.
This role is based in Long Beach, CA and reports to the Head of Flight Sciences.
What You’ll Do:
Aerodynamic Design and Analysis
- Own the aerodynamic design of the Z4 blended wing body configuration, including cruise performance, high-lift systems, and control surface effectiveness.
- Direct CFD analysis across the flight envelope and drive shape optimization using adjoint, DOE, and surrogate methods.
- Deliver the aerodynamic databases that the performance, stability and control, loads, and simulation teams build on.
Wind Tunnel and Flight Test Correlation
- Plan wind tunnel campaigns, including model definition, test objectives, and instrumentation, and interpret the results.
- Correlate CFD predictions against wind tunnel and flight test data, and improve model fidelity from what the correlation shows.
Certification and Requirements
- Substantiate aerodynamic compliance for 14 CFR Part 25, including the analyses and documentation behind it.
- Define the aerodynamic requirements flowed into the configuration and validate them as the design matures.
Methods, Tools, and Standards
- Set the standards for turbulence modeling, meshing, and solver selection so that results are repeatable and defensible for certification.
- Advance automation of CFD workflows and high-performance computing utilization to shorten design iteration time.
Technical Leadership and Collaboration
- Serve as the aerodynamics technical authority in design reviews and aircraft-level trades, from concept through flight test.
- Mentor design and analysis engineers and raise the technical bar across the aerodynamics group.
- Partner with structures, propulsion, systems, and flight controls to deliver integrated aircraft solutions.
What You Bring:
- 10+ years of experience in aircraft aerodynamics for transport-category aircraft.
- Master’s or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Deep experience with CFD across commercial and open-source solvers, including turbulence modeling, meshing strategies, and numerical methods.
- Hands-on record of aerodynamic shape optimization using adjoint methods, DOE, or surrogate and machine learning assisted approaches.
- Experience planning and interpreting wind tunnel campaigns and correlating test data with simulation.
- Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 25 requirements affecting aerodynamics and aircraft performance.
- Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for data processing and automation.
- Track record of setting technical direction and mentoring engineers without relying on direct reports.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Previous experience with blended wing body or other novel aircraft configurations.
- Background in experimental aerodynamics.
- Experience with high-fidelity CFD such as LES or DES, or with aeroacoustics analysis.
- Familiarity with multidisciplinary design optimization frameworks.
- Experience working in high-performance computing environments.
Compensation:
Our compensation package is a blend of base salary and equity options for eligible employees. The range for this role is $180,000 to $220,000. We consider a number of factors when presenting a final offer, including geography, internal equity and years of experience and expertise.
Benefits
- Generous PTO
- 12 paid holidays
- 401(k)
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Equity tax advisory services
- Supportive work culture
The Interview Process
We want our interview process to be a true reflection of our culture: transparent and collaborative. Throughout the interview process, your recruiter will guide you through the next steps and ensure you feel prepared every step of the way.
- Our First Chat: During this first conversation, you’ll meet with a recruiter or hiring team member to chat through your background, what you could bring to our team, what you are looking for in your next role, and who we are.
- The Hiring Manager Interview: You will meet with your potential future boss to really dive into the role, the team, expectations, and what success means at JetZero. This is your chance to really nerd out with someone in your field.
- The Panel: Learn more about the team, responsibilities, and workflows. You should be prepared to speak about past projects, how you collaborate and communicate with others, and how you live our values. Depending on the team and role you are interviewing for, you may meet with several teammates as well as cross-functional partners.
- The Executive Review: A chance to meet an executive and view JetZero from a different lens. Be prepared to ask well-thought-out questions about the company, culture, and more.
Depending on the position you are interviewing for, there may also be a Take Home Exercise as part of the interview proccess. Our assessments seek to test the hard skills required to do the job. Your recruiter will inform you of which assessment you will be assigned and ensure you are fully prepared for your big day.
JetZero does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered.
At JetZero, we value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment & do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws, ordinance, or regulation.
