Science & ResearchISCO 2144

Aerodynamics engineer

Aerodynamics engineers perform aerodynamics analysis to make sure the designs of transport equipment meet aerodynamics and performance requirements. They contribute to designing engine and engine components, and issue technical reports for the engineering staff and customers. They coordinate with other engineering departments to check that designs perform as specified. Aerodynamics engineers conduct research to assess adaptability of equipment and materials. They also analyse proposals to evaluate production time and feasibility.

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Rate 5 of the 23 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

execute analytical mathematical calculations

adjust engineering designs

perform scientific research

use technical drawing software

examine engineering principles

About aerodynamics engineer

As an aerodynamics engineer, you will apply advanced physics and mathematical principles to solve complex challenges in transport equipment design. You will perform detailed computational and experimental aerodynamic analyses to ensure that aircraft, vehicles, or marine vessels meet rigorous performance and safety requirements. Your work directly impacts fuel efficiency, environmental emissions, and overall vehicle performance, making your role critical in the modern push toward sustainable transportation. You will use sophisticated Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software to simulate airflow, predict drag and lift forces, and optimize designs before physical prototyping.

Your daily responsibilities include conducting aerodynamic simulations, interpreting results, and collaborating with mechanical and structural engineers to refine designs. You will produce technical reports communicating your findings to engineering teams and customers, analyze whether proposed designs are feasible within production timelines and budgets, and identify opportunities to improve engine and component performance. This role demands strong analytical thinking, proficiency with specialized software, and deep understanding of both theoretical aerodynamics and practical engineering constraints. You must stay current with advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and emerging technologies in transport design.

Career prospects for aerodynamics engineers in Poland are strong, as the country develops its aerospace and advanced automotive sectors. Major employers include vehicle manufacturers, aircraft component suppliers, and engineering consultancies. Your expertise is highly transferable across industries—from automotive to aerospace to renewable energy sectors. Senior opportunities include technical leadership roles, research positions, or management of engineering teams. The field offers competitive compensation, international collaboration opportunities, and the satisfaction of contributing to technological innovation in sustainable transport.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a aerodynamics engineer.

Aerodynamic Analysis and Simulation

Perform computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze airflow around designs
Conduct wind tunnel tests and experimental aerodynamic evaluations
Predict and calculate drag, lift, and other aerodynamic forces on transport equipment
Analyze flow separation, turbulence, and pressure distribution in complex geometries

Design Optimization and Engineering Analysis

Adjust and optimize designs based on aerodynamic simulation results
Evaluate engine and engine component performance under various operating conditions
Assess design feasibility and production time requirements
Execute analytical mathematical calculations to support design decisions

Technical Documentation and Communication

Prepare comprehensive technical reports documenting aerodynamic findings and recommendations
Create and interpret technical drawings and engineering schematics
Communicate analysis results to engineering teams, management, and external customers
Use technical documentation to ensure design specifications are met

Multidisciplinary Engineering Collaboration

Coordinate with mechanical and structural engineers to integrate aerodynamic designs
Work with manufacturing teams to assess producibility and cost implications
Collaborate on design reviews and propose engineering solutions to technical challenges

Research and Development

Conduct scientific research to assess adaptability of new materials and technologies
Stay current with advances in aerodynamic theory and computational methods
Analyze proposals and evaluate feasibility of innovative aerodynamic solutions

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (23)

operation of different enginesoperation of different enginesThe characteristics, maintenance requirements and operating procedures of various kinds of engines such as gas, diesel, electrical, and engines with steam propulsion plants.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.aerodynamicsaerodynamicsThe scientific field that deals with the way gases interact with moving bodies. As we usually deal with atmospheric air, aerodynamics is primarily concerned with the forces of drag and lift, which are...CAE softwareCAE softwareThe software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.multimedia systemsmultimedia systemsThe methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.engine componentsengine componentsThe different engine components, their operation, lifecycle and maintenance and repairing needs.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.examine engineering principlesexamine engineering principlesAnalyse the principles that need to be considered for engineering designs and projects such as functionality, replicability, costs and other principles.read engineering drawingsread engineering drawingsRead the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.evaluate engine performanceevaluate engine performanceRead and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.liaise with engineersliaise with engineersCollaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.computer simulationcomputer simulationA programme run on a computer that represents dynamic responses of a system to explore a mathematical model behaviour, using a model of a real system, composed of mathematical equations.

Optional (10) — show

material mechanicsmaterial mechanicsThe behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.mechanics of vesselsmechanics of vesselsThe mechanical aspects and principles of vessels operations, and the technicalities and mechanical composition of boats and ships.aircraft mechanicsaircraft mechanicsTechnicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repais in aircrafts.bicycle mechanicsbicycle mechanicsTechnicalities over mechanics in bicycles and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repais in bicycles.mechanics of motor vehiclesmechanics of motor vehiclesThe way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles.thermodynamicsthermodynamicsThe branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy.mechanics of trainsmechanics of trainsThe mechanical aspects and principles of the mechanics involved in trains.analyse stress resistance of productsanalyse stress resistance of productsAnalyse the ability of products to endure stress imposed by temperature, loads, motion, vibration and other factors, by using mathematical formulas and computer simulations.conduct performance testsconduct performance testsConduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditi...determine production feasibilitydetermine production feasibilityDetermine if a product or its components can be produced by applying engineering principles.

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Frequently asked questions

What does an aerodynamics engineer do?

What skills does an aerodynamics engineer need?

An aerodynamics engineer needs 23 essential skills, including operation of different engines, engineering principles, mathematics, technical drawings, physics.

Will AI replace aerodynamics engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for aerodynamics engineer is 81/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: mechanics of trains, engine components, execute analytical mathematical calculations. Most resilient: aircraft mechanics, bicycle mechanics, mechanics.

AI Replacement Risk

81/ 100

Very High Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

mechanics of trains engine components execute analytical mathematical calculations

Skills resilient to automation

aircraft mechanics bicycle mechanics mechanics

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Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research

ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals

Essential Skills23

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