The short version

You’ll take ownership of the aerodynamics and airframe development of Kelluu’s airship — from CFD-driven shape optimization to real-world flight performance. This is not a simulation-only role: you’ll close the loop between analysis, prototyping, and flight testing.

This role exists because this capability has so far been mostly external — now it’s time to build it in-house and own it end-to-end.

About Kelluu

We are turning the real world into a digital one, with accuracy down to the smallest detail. Imagine a near future where everything you see can be explored through data delivered by Kelluu, and where AI works continuously across that data to find what you need to know. Everything turned into answers.

We’re a Finnish deep-tech company, headquartered in Joensuu with offices in Helsinki and Tampere. The team is growing fast, the goals are ambitious, and we’re hiring people who want to build something that matters.

Our technology is flight-proven and operational. We’re a NATO DIANA Phase 2 alumni with several thousands of hours of autonomous BVLOS flight experience, active programmes across multiple NATO nations, and a rapidly growing team. We operate in both defence and civilian markets: the same technology that supports border security also monitors critical infrastructure and the environment.

P.S. We just raised 15M€ Series A.

Why this role exists

Aerodynamics and airframe design have so far been partly outsourced and explored with limited internal capability. As the platform matures, this becomes core to performance, scalability, and product development speed.

We are building this capability in-house — and this role takes ownership of it.

What you’ll own

You’ll own aerodynamic performance and airframe development across Kelluu’s platforms — from simulation to flight validation.

The impact you’ll have:

• Build Kelluu’s in-house aerodynamic modeling capability — combining lighter methods (panel, analytical) with CFD (in-house where it pays off, external services for heavy lifts) as a core part of product development

• Turn simulation results into real design improvements in airframe shape, structures, and performance

• Define and develop airframe architecture from concept through CAD, mass/CG, and structural validation

• Create a tight feedback loop between simulation, prototyping, and real flight data

• Enable faster iteration cycles and better performance across both airship and fixed-wing platforms

Your team

You’ll work closely with a small engineering team spanning structures, avionics, and flight operations. The current setup is hands-on and pragmatic — prototypes are built, tested, and iterated quickly.

The role works across Joensuu (current core team) and Tampere (emerging R&D and prototyping hub). Over time, this role is expected to help build a team around this capability.

What success looks like

By 3 months, you will have:

• Built a clear understanding of current platforms, aerodynamic assumptions, and tooling

• Taken ownership of ongoing CFD work and started improving existing models

By 6 months:

• Delivered validated aerodynamic improvements to at least one platform

• Established a working loop between simulation, prototyping, and testing

By 12 months:

• Fully own aerodynamic and airframe development capability in-house

• Significantly improved performance predictability and design iteration speed

• Defined the foundation for scaling this capability and team

What we’re looking for

You’ll thrive here if you have:

• MSc in Aeronautical Engineering or equivalent (Aerospace / Mechanical with aeronautics focus)

• Hands-on experience in low-speed aerodynamics (e.g. UAVs, drones, sailplanes, wind energy)

• Working understanding of CFD methods (panel, particle-based, or volumetric — e.g. Ansys Fluent, Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM) and ability to direct external CFD work when needed

• Ability to take designs from concept to CAD and understand structural implications

• FEA experience with composite structures (Ansys Mechanical, Abaqus, Nastran, or similar) — comfortable with anisotropic materials, large deflection nonlinear analysis, interface and constraint modeling

• Solid grasp of flight mechanics — stability, trim, and control surface sizing

• Ability to produce stability derivatives and aerodynamic models for the flight controls team (6-DOF in Matlab/Simulink or Python)

Even better if you also bring:

• Experience with lighter-than-air systems, airships, or similar platforms

• Composite manufacturing know-how (layup, infusion, sandwich structures)

• Low-Reynolds-number aerodynamics expertise

• Experience with optimization workflows (e.g. OpenMDAO, adjoint methods)

• Background in wind tunnel or flight test engineering

• Experience in weight-critical or endurance platform design

What you get

The opportunity:

• Own a core engineering capability that directly defines product performance

• Build something from scratch and see it validated in real flight

• Work across simulation, design, prototyping, and testing — not just one silo

• Help shape a future engineering team and capability

The practicalities:

• Salary range is around €4,500/month on both sides depending on experience

• Healthcare, Lunch benefit, Culture, sports, and wellbeing benefit (Epassi), Phone

• The tools you need to do your best work

• Flexible work culture

The kind of place this is

Kelluu is a dual-use deep-tech company at the intersection of autonomy, AI, and aerial intelligence. We build technology that serves both national security and society, and we take that responsibility seriously.

We’re scaling fast, which means you’ll have real influence on how things are built. The flipside: things move quickly, priorities shift, and everyone wears a few hats. If you want a finished playbook and a clear lane, this probably isn’t the right fit. If you want to write the playbook yourself, it might be exactly right.

We use AI tools extensively, not as a gimmick, but because it lets a growing team move faster than anyone expects. We expect everyone to be curious about how to work smarter.

Details

Location: Tampere or Joensuu

Start date: As soon as possible

Reports to: Head of Engineering

Travelling: Willingness to travel when necessary

Due to the nature of our business in the defence and dual-use sectors, the selected candidate must successfully pass a standard security clearance. Furthermore, certain roles are subject to international export control regulations (e.g., EU Dual-Use or ITAR), which may impose specific requirements regarding the candidate’s citizenship and background.

Interested?

Apply by 24.6.2026 through our career page. Include your CV and application. We’re less interested in a list of past job titles and more interested in your impact.

What to expect:

1. Initial call with Recruitment Partner

2. Interview with Head of Engineering

3. Final interview / meet the team

4. Reference check and offer

Questions? Reach out to Reach out to Niko Kuikka, Head of Engineering tel. +358 50 408 4557 (available during weekdays after 2 pm.) or Tina Wirzenius, Recruitment Partner tel. +358 50 465 7404. If we miss your call, please send us a text message.

Direct applications only.