19th November, 2025
Head of Aerodynamics | Advanced Aerospace | Dubai (Relocation Required & Supported)
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Advanced Aerospace & Manufacturing
Package: Tax Free - $220,000 – $300,000 USD base + 20–40% annual bonus + ESOP
Package Equivalent (incl. Tax): $570,000 – $800,000 AUD base + 20–40% annual bonus + ESOP
Relocation: Full executive relocation package including paid housing, business-class flights, and visa sponsorship (Around $100,000 AUD)
Type: Full-time | On-site | Permanent
About the Company
Our client is an advanced aerospace company developing the next generation of high-performance aircraft systems, integrating cutting-edge materials, propulsion, and automation technologies. With significant international investment and government support, the organisation is rapidly scaling from successful R&D and prototype programs into certified production and global deployment.
Headquartered in Dubai, the company is establishing a world-class engineering and manufacturing hub serving both commercial and defence markets. This is an exceptional opportunity to help define the aerodynamic performance of one of the most ambitious aerospace programs in the world.
The Opportunity
The Head of Aerodynamics (CFD) will build and lead the company’s core aerodynamic design, analysis, and validation team. This position will be pivotal in shaping the aircraft's aerodynamic configuration, driving innovation in computational methods, and ensuring all designs meet stringent performance and certification requirements.
This is a hands-on, 'first-principles' technical leadership role ideal for an aerodynamics expert experienced in leading high-speed, complex aerospace programs from clean-sheet design through to flight-test validation.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and execute the end-to-end aerodynamic design, analysis, and validation strategy for the aircraft program.
- Lead all Computational Fluid Dynamics activities, from initial concept modeling and trade studies to high-fidelity, multi-physics simulation.
- Define the technical roadmap for aerodynamic methods, tools, and High-Performance Computing (HPC) resources.
- Oversee the development of aerodynamic databases, performance models, and stability & control derivatives for the full flight envelope.
- Manage the department's operational budget, including procurement of software, hardware (HPC resources), and testing services.
Analysis, Validation & Certification - Lead the planning and execution of aerodynamic validation campaigns, including wind tunnel testing and flight test programs.
- Drive the critical process of correlating simulation data with real-world wind tunnel and flight test results.
- Support the certification process by providing all necessary aerodynamic data, analysis, and compliance reports to regulatory authorities.
Team & Supplier Management - Build, mentor, and manage a world-class team of aerodynamics and CFD engineers, embedding a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
- Manage relationships with external research partners, software vendors, and testing facilities to ensure the team is equipped with best-in-class capabilities.
- Serve as the company's chief subject-matter expert on all aerodynamics, reporting on performance, risk, and opportunities to the executive leadership team.
Required Experience & Background - 10+ years of experience in aerospace aerodynamics, with 5+ years in a senior leadership or technical management role.
- Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering with a specialisation in Aerodynamics or Fluid Dynamics.
- Proven expertise in leading complex Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) programs on high-performance aircraft (e.g., transonic/supersonic, advanced air mobility, or defence programs).
- Deep understanding of aerodynamic design, aircraft configuration, and performance analysis from concept through to certification.
- Extensive, hands-on experience in correlating simulation data (CFD) with wind tunnel and flight test results.
- Familiarity with relevant certification requirements related to aerodynamic performance, stability, and flight characteristics.
- Expertise with industry-standard CFD solvers (e.g., ANSYS, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM) and aerodynamic design tools.
- Exceptional communication, first-principles problem-solving, and proven leadership skills in a high-paced, R&D-to-production environment.
Benefits - Live and work in Dubai — one of the world’s fastest-growing centres for technology, infrastructure and aerospace innovation.
- Build a complete Aerodynamics and CFD function from scratch.
- Work alongside world-class executives in engineering, operations, construction, data and corporate strategy.
- World-class Salary on offer - very competitive.
- Up to $100k AUD relocation support including housing, relocation costs, business class flights, and more.
This is open to global applicants, relocation to Dubai is required. If interested, please reach out with your most up-to-date resume & I'll be in touch.
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