Senior Aeronautical Engineer

Job Title: Senior Aeronautical Engineer

Company: Red Horse Dynamics, Inc.

Location: San Antonio, TX (Hybrid)

Citizenship Requirement: Must be U.S. Citizen

About Red Horse Dynamics:
Red Horse Dynamics, founded by veteran US Special Operations operators is an early-stage defense tech startup revolutionizing military logistics through the development of a scalable, autonomous, VTOL-capable drone platform, delivering payloads across highly contested environments. With strong momentum in SBIR (AFWERX), early investor interest, and proprietary AI-driven technologies, we are assembling a team to deliver the future of unmanned logistics at scale.

Role Overview:
As Senior Aeronautics Engineer, you will lead the design, development, integration, and testing of our Group 3 drone platform, supporting its aerodynamic efficiency, propulsion systems, VTOL performance, and sensor architecture. You will collaborate closely with our co-founders and engineers to prototype scalable autonomous airframes that can operate independently or is a network. The ideal candidate is a self-driven technical leader passionate about defense innovation and startup culture.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Aeronautical Design and Aerodynamics

• Lead airframe design (blended-wing/fixed-wing configurations) using carbon fiber and additive manufacturing methods
• Perform CFD and aerodynamic optimization using ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, or comparable tools
• Validate flight performance through wind tunnel testing and digital twin simulation

2. Propulsion System Identification and Integration

• Evaluate and select U.S.-made propulsion technologies (e.g., hybrid-electric, turbine, or fuel-cell systems)
• Integrate propulsion with onboard AI energy management systems
• Conduct testing for high-speed, high-altitude, and long-endurance operation

3. VTOL System Integration

• Select appropriate VTOL architecture (e.g., tiltrotor, distributed electric propulsion)
• Integrate VTOL mechanisms with flight controller and transition logic
• Support VTOL flight tuning and autonomous hover/landing capability

4. Sensor and Navigation Systems

• Integrate EO/IR, LiDAR, INS/GPS, star trackers, and radar sensors
• Collaborate with AI/software engineers to enable GPS-denied navigation (SLAM-based)
• Validate multi-sensor fusion for networked coordination and contested navigation

5. Prototype Development and Testing

• Lead prototype build and ground/flight testing across early and full-scale units
• Execute testing in contested logistics scenarios (remote FOBs, maritime, urban)
• Collaborate with test engineers and regulatory leads for FAA experimental flight path compliance

6. Innovation and Startup Team Contributions

• Partner on IP generation for payload release systems and adaptive comms
• Contribute to SBIR/STTR proposals, investor briefings, and technical documentation
• Mentor junior engineers, coordinate with vendors, and adapt to shifting product timelines

Required Qualifications:

• B.S./M.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D. a plus)
• 5–10 years in UAV/UAS or high-performance aeronautics
• Experience with propulsion and VTOL integration (turbine/electric hybrid, tiltrotor, etc.)
• Fluent in SolidWorks, ANSYS, XFLR5, ROS, and Python/C++
• Proven record working with U.S.-compliant systems (NDAA/ITAR), including sensor integration
• A&P certificate (nice to have)
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-810, DoD test protocols, and SBIR/STTR framework
• U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder (required for SBIR eligibility)

Why Join Us:

• Build game-changing technology from the ground up
• Join a lean team shaping U.S. defense innovation and autonomy
• Work on one of the most ambitious drone logistics concepts in the industry
• Equity options, milestone & Performance-based bonuses

Apply: contact@redhorsedynamics.com
Website: www.redhorsedynamics.com 

Red Horse Dynamics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or veteran status.