Aerospace Engineer

Haast Autonomous is building an autonomous aircraft network for time-sensitive medical logistics. We’re developing long-range VTOL aircraft, autonomy software, and the operational foundation needed to move critical payloads between hospitals, labs, and healthcare facilities on-demand faster and more reliably.

We’re early, small, and moving quickly. Joining now means you'll have a direct role in shaping the foundation of Haast — our culture, engineering process, testing discipline, partner relationships, and the path from prototype to a real medical logistics network.

We’re looking for high-agency people who want ownership, urgency, and system-level impact from day one.

About the Role

At Haast, Aerospace Engineers bridge the gap between aircraft physics, design, simulation, flight-test planning, and real-world data.

We want every prototype, simulation, and flight test to teach us something valuable.

What You’ll Do

Lead the initial conceptualization and design of aircraft based on core design requirements

Build and maintain performance models for aircraft prototypes

Analyze range, endurance, climb, cruise, stall speed, stability, control authority, and payload tradeoffs

Support sizing, configuration, and design trade decisions

Integrate design for manufacturing principles to ensure aircraft components are practical, efficient, and ready for real-world production and assembly.

Create and refine 3D aircraft models using CAD tools

Perform CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) to evaluate aerodynamic and structural performance

Use tools like XFLR5, OpenVSP, AVL, MATLAB, Python, JSBSim, Gazebo, or similar simulation and modeling platforms

Support SITL/HITL workflows with ArduPilot, PX4, or similar systems

Create flight-test cards, test plans, success criteria, and post-test summaries

Analyze flight logs to compare true aircraft behavior with predictions

Diagnose issues—whether aerodynamic, controls, structure, propulsion, sensors, or operations

Transform flight data into actionable engineering improvements

Collaborate closely with mechanical, avionics, controls, and operations teams

Document your assumptions, models, results, and engineering decisions

Help lay the modeling, test, and validation foundation for a scalable autonomous aircraft network

What We’re Looking For

Deep understanding of aircraft performance, stability, flight mechanics, and test planning

Experience with UAVs, fixed-wing, VTOL, or flight-test programs

Strong proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX, Fusion 360, or similar)

Hands-on experience with CFD (ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, etc.) and FEA for aircraft analysis

Track record of using simulation and analysis to drive real-world hardware and design choices

Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar data analysis tools

Comfortable with tools like XFLR5, OpenVSP, AVL, JSBSim, Gazebo, or other aerospace simulation tools

Able to interpret flight logs and extract actionable conclusions

Practical engineering judgment regarding assumptions, uncertainty, and model limitations

Able to develop straightforward, practical test plans for rapid learning

Startup-ready: thrive in a fast-paced environment where models must meet reality fast

Nice to Have

Hands-on with ArduPilot, PX4, MAVLink, Mission Planner, or QGroundControl

Experience with SITL/HITL simulation for UAVs

Insights into fixed-wing VTOL transition dynamics

Background in propulsion modeling, propeller selection, battery sizing, or hybrid-electric aircraft

Familiarity with CFD, wind tunnel, scale models, or flight-test instrumentation

Experience in FAA test environments, BVLOS, aviation safety documentation, or risk analysis

What Success Looks Like

First month: Understand the aircraft configuration, build a baseline model with real data, and establish immediate test objectives

Three months: Create a fast feedback loop—models, logs, and hardware changes work in sync, driving smarter next steps and better prototypes

The output we care about: a better aircraft and a more insightful next test—not just a polished report

How to Stand Out

We care far more about what you’ve built than any credential or resume. When applying, please share details of aircraft modeling, simulation, or flight-test work you've done:

Examples of hands-on UAV projects, builds, or performance models

Aircraft sizing studies, simulation code, or flight-test plans you contributed to

Data analysis, CFD/FEA results, CAD files, or engineering documentation from past projects

Please submit links, files, photos, or write-ups of prior work —demonstrating your skills, approach, and what you’ve learned along the way. We want to see what you’ve tackled, built, and discovered first-hand.

We care more about agency, ownership, taste, and evidence that you can build than whether you match every bullet point. If you have worked on aircraft, drones, robots, vehicles, rockets, or other hard technical systems and want to help build something from the ground up, we want to hear from you.