Senior Aerodynamics Engineer

Summary

Leads a small team of Aerodynamics Engineers supporting UK military aircraft programmes, delivering aerodynamic research, CFD analysis, testing and flight clearance activities. Works with technologies including computational fluid dynamics, flight mechanics, aeroelasticity and aerodynamic design optimization, providing technical leadership across the full engineering lifecycle.

Job Title\: Senior Aerodynamics Engineer

Location\: Prestwick - onsite

Salary\: £55,498+ Depending on experience

Referral Bonus\: £2000

Grade\: PS5

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your line manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE\: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

Job Description\:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Aerodynamics Specialist to lead a small team of Aerodynamics Engineers, delivering expert technical guidance across a range of current and future aircraft programmes. Working at the forefront of aerospace innovation, you will provide specialist support in areas such as flight sciences, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), flight control, stability and control, aerodynamic design and aeroelasticity. This is a hands-on technical leadership role, combining research, analysis, testing and flight clearance activities while driving digital transformation and collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams, customers and industry partners.

Core duties\:

  • Lead and support a small team of Aerodynamics Engineers, providing technical expertise across a range of current and future aircraft programmes.
  • Deliver aerodynamic research, design, computational analysis, testing and flight clearance activities for complex air vehicles.
  • Provide specialist aerodynamic support across multiple aircraft platforms, ensuring safe and effective performance throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Drive the development of aerodynamic toolsets and support digital transformation initiatives to enhance engineering capability.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams on areas including flight control law development, flight mechanics, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), aerodynamic design optimisation, aeroelasticity, and stores release and jettison modelling.
  • Work closely with internal stakeholders, customers and engineering partners to deliver innovative aerodynamic solutions to challenging technical problems.

Essential Skills\:

  • Degree qualified (Bachelor's or Master's) in Aerodynamics, Aerospace Engineering or another relevant STEM discipline.
  • Proven experience in aerodynamics within a research or industrial environment, with specialist knowledge of aeronautical applications.
  • Strong technical expertise in one or more areas such as flight mechanics, flight control, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), aeroelasticity, aerodynamic design optimisation or stores release and jettison modelling.
  • Experience working collaboratively with customers, suppliers, research organisations and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Excellent communication, stakeholder management and teamworking skills.
  • Ability to provide technical leadership, mentor engineers and influence technical decision-making.

The Engineering Service Delivery Team\:

You'll join a highly skilled Aerodynamics team within the Flight Sciences function, working alongside subject matter experts who support some of the UK's most advanced military aircraft programmes. The team provides specialist aerodynamic expertise across the full engineering lifecycle, from early concept and design through to analysis, testing, certification and in-service support. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you'll have the opportunity to tackle complex technical challenges, influence future aircraft capability and help develop the next generation of aerodynamic technologies, while leading and mentoring a small team of talented engineers.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive\:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date\: 23rd July 2026