Aerodynamics Expert

Job Description Role Title: Aerodynamics Expert

Role Type: Contractor

Location: Remote

micro1 is selecting Aerodynamics Experts to contribute to a customer's project focused on advancing the capabilities of AI technologies in aerospace engineering. In this role, you'll apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems. Your work will shape how models learn, reason, and perform through high-quality, real-world input. No prior experience in AI is required, your domain knowledge is what matters. This is an opportunity to impact the future of engineering by ensuring that AI systems can accurately interpret, solve, and explain complex aerodynamics challenges spanning external aero, CFD, wind tunnel testing, propulsion, and vehicle aero. Experts with a passion for precision, technical detail, and clear written and verbal communication will find this engagement both rewarding and influential.

Scope of Work

1. Evaluate and solve advanced aerodynamic design and analysis problems spanning external aero, CFD, wind tunnel testing, propulsion, and vehicle aero.
2. Review and assess AI-generated technical responses for technical correctness, accuracy, and engineering quality.
3. Apply practical engineering judgment to real-world aerodynamic design scenarios and theoretical questions.
4. Analyze and troubleshoot aerodynamic problems using industry-standard techniques such as boundary-layer theory, potential flow analysis, compressible flow relations, and CFD/wind-tunnel data reduction.
5. Contribute domain expertise to inform model improvements and refine AI reasoning in aerodynamics.
6. Document feedback and provide clear written and verbal explanations to enhance AI learning and performance.
7. Collaborate remotely with a distributed team of experts and project participants.

Preferred Qualifications

1. MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, or ME with a thermofluids/aero specialization; or BS in Aerospace/ME with 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
2. At least 5 years of hands-on experience in aerodynamic design or analysis (external aero, CFD, wind tunnel, propulsion, or vehicle aero).
3. Expert knowledge of compressible and incompressible flow, boundary-layer behavior, turbulence modeling, and propulsion-integration aerodynamics.
4. Proven ability to analyze aerodynamic performance using CFD tools, wind-tunnel data reduction, and hand/analytical methods.
5. Familiarity with relevant standards and practices (AIAA standards, wind-tunnel test protocols, CFD verification & validation).
6. Professional English proficiency with exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
7. Experience with CFD software (ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM), wind-tunnel testing, or flight-test data analysis is a plus.
8. Strongly preferred — evidence of problem-authoring rigor, such as: service on an olympiad problem committee; a textbook problem-set or solutions-manual author credit; an item-writer role on an NCEES or academic qualifying-exam committee; service on an AIAA standards committee; a top placement or team-lead role in AIAA Design/Build/Fly, SAE Aero Design, NASA RASC-AL or University Student Design Challenge, or a DARPA challenge; a best-paper award at AIAA SciTech/Aviation, APS DFD, JFM, or AIAA Journal; or an early-career fellowship/grant (NSF CAREER, DOE Early Career, ONR/AFOSR YIP, DARPA YFA, Sloan Fellowship) or AIAA Associate Fellow / NAE Frontiers of Engineering recognition.

Compensation Structure

Compensation is output-based; experts are paid per task that meets the project specifications. The time required to complete work may vary depending on the expert’s experience and workflow. Minimum submission requirements apply. Experts must submit a minimum of tasks per week.

Start Timeline & Availability

We typically fill roles within 48 hours and are looking for experts ready to jump in right away. If selected, we expect you to start your first tasks within 24–48 hours of completing onboarding.