Senior Aerodynamicist

Job Title: Senior Aerodynamicist

Location: Prestwick. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £58,599+ depending on skills and experience

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

Join our Aerodynamics team and play a key role in shaping the next generation of advanced military aircraft. You’ll apply aerodynamic analysis, computational modelling and testing techniques to support the design, development and flight clearance of high-performance air vehicles. Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, customers and industry partners, you’ll help solve complex technical challenges while driving innovation in aircraft performance and capability. You’ll also contribute to the development of future aerodynamic tools, digital engineering solutions and continuous improvement initiatives, helping to shape the way aerospace engineering is delivered.

Core Duties:

• Lead aerodynamic engineering activities across a broad portfolio of current and future air programmes, providing specialist technical expertise and guidance to support programme delivery.
• Plan, deliver and review complex aerodynamic research, design, computational analysis, test campaigns and flight clearance activities for advanced air vehicle platforms.
• Act as a key technical interface across Aerodynamics, Airframe Engineering, customers, partners and suppliers, ensuring effective collaboration and alignment of technical solutions.
• Influence the development of safe, high-performance and innovative aircraft systems, contributing to critical design decisions throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Provide technical mentorship and support knowledge development within the aerodynamics community, championing best practice and capability growth.
• Drive the development and implementation of advanced aerodynamic toolsets, methods and digital engineering solutions to enhance engineering effectiveness and programme outcomes.
• Lead continuous improvement and digital transformation initiatives, challenging traditional approaches and helping shape future aerodynamics capability across the business.
• Support technical governance activities including design reviews, technical assessments and strategic decision-making, ensuring robust and compliant engineering solutions are delivered.

Essential Skills:

• Degree qualified (Bachelors or Masters) in Aerodynamics, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or another relevant STEM discipline.
• Extensive post-graduate experience within an aerodynamics research or industrial environment, supported by deep technical expertise in a specialist aerodynamic discipline.
• Significant experience in one or more of the following areas: Flight Dynamics & Control, Aerodynamics & Aeroelasticity, Structural Dynamics & Loads, or Systems Integration.
• Proven track record of leading and delivering complex technical work packages, projects and research activities with a high level of autonomy and accountability.
• Experience influencing and collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, industry partners and research organisations.
• Strong technical leadership skills, with the ability to provide direction, guidance and oversight on complex engineering challenges.

The Aerodynamics Discipline of the Flight Sciences Team:

This role sits within the Aerodynamics Discipline of the Flight Sciences team and provides specialist aerodynamic support across a wide range of current and future military air vehicle programmes. The successful candidate will work as part of a highly skilled engineering team, contributing to the research, design, analysis, testing and flight clearance of advanced aircraft throughout the product lifecycle, from early concept development through to in-service support.

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.

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: 4th November 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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