Principal Aerodynamicist at Atropos Group

<p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>About Us</strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s <strong>trusted and deployable today not in 2040.</strong> Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for&nbsp;<strong>radical ownership:</strong> no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.</span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">If you thrive where <strong>hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency,</strong> you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.</span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Culture That Ships</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Strong Core Values, Startup Execution.</strong> Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Self-Starters Only.</strong> You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>One Team, No Tourists.</strong> Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.</span></li> </ul> <p style="line-height: 1.2;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>What’s In It for You</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Mission With a Pulse.</strong> Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Resources Without Red Tape.</strong> VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Career-Defining Upside.</strong> Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.</span></li> </ul> <p style="line-height: 1.2;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>What You’ll Do</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lead aerodynamic design, analysis, and wind-tunnel/CFD correlation for a clean-sheet, long-range autonomous air vehicle.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Optimize planform, airfoil, and high-lift devices to maximize range and payload while meeting survivability constraints.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Create rapid-iteration tools and templates for sizing trades.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Collaborate daily with GNC, Flight Controls, and Structures IPTs to mature configuration through CoDR/PDR/CDR.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Support flight-test envelope expansion and post-flight data reduction.</span></li> </ul> <p style="line-height: 1.2;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>What You Bring</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent) with ≥ 7 yrs relevant experience.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Deep expertise in CFD (e.g., SU2, Fluent, OVERFLOW), panel methods, and wind-tunnel test design.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Demonstrated history of hands-on, first-principles analysis in rapid-development programs.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ability to convey complex results to cross-functional audiences.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.<br></span></li> </ul> <p style="line-height: 1.2;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Bonus Points</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Prior LO (low observables) signature shaping experience.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Experience coupling aerodynamics with AI-enabled design-of-experiments workflows.</span></li> </ul> <p style="line-height: 1.2;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)</strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Base Salary: $195,000 to 255,000 USD</span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Platinum Healthcare Benefits:<strong> </strong>Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Basic Life/AD&amp;D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">20 weeks of paid Caregiver &amp; Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Family Planning &amp; Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Daily Lunch catered&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Company-funded child care stipend&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution</span></li> </ul> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.</span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!</span></p>