Senior Manager - Performance & Aerodynamics

At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before.

Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.

Seagliders operate across multiple regimes — hull-borne, hydrofoiling, and wing-borne ground effect — each placing unique fluid-dynamic engineering opportunities for both vehicle performance and safety. To maximize performance across all of these regimes - we are seeking a Manager – Performance & Aerodynamics to drive technical execution across conceptual sizing, simulation, performance optimization, and physical validation.

This role is both hands-on and leadership-focused: you will directly contribute to performance studies and detailed fluid dynamics analysis while leading the team, mentoring engineers, shaping best practices, and coordinating cross-functional work.

You’ll be responsible for delivering closed, performance-optimized vehicle designs for Viceroy and future variants, and for developing scalable toolsets to size and evaluate future programs - and the amazing team that makes this happen! You will represent the Performance & Aero Dynamics team in design reviews, test planning, and customer discussions, ensuring that validated tools drive program success.

If you’re energized by team building, technical depth, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the challenge of designing vehicles that bridge air and sea, this role offers the chance to shape an entirely new mode of transportation.

• Lead the Performance & Aerodynamics team through design reviews, trade studies, and performance evaluations, maintaining REGENT’s high standard of excellence and documentation.

• Grow and develop the team through mentorship and empowerment, fostering an environment of technical excellence and accountability.

• Guide the development of CFD/FSI models, simulation workflows, and performance tools across all operating regimes.

• Conduct system-level performance optimization and vehicle sizing, integrating aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, propulsion, structures, electrical, and other engineering trades.

• Translate CFD and wind tunnel data into database performance data for control law tuning, actuation sizing, propeller design, and structural validation.

• Drive experimental validation through wind tunnel, tow tank, and flight/hydrofoil testing.

• Demonstrated experience in aero/hydro design, analysis, and testing (aircraft, marine, advanced mobility).

• Hands-on leader; collaborative, iterative, coaches team growth; strong product instincts and analytical rigor; passionate about bringing new technologies to production.

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related field.

• Modeling/optimization in Python, MATLAB, FORTRAN, or C; performance models in OpenMDAO, Dymos, SUAVE, or Simulink.

• CFD on HPC (STAR-CCM+, NUMECA, ANSYS Fluent, Flow360); led model correlation/validation via physical testing.

• Deep aerodynamics: blown-wing lift, flow separation, ground effect; defines/owns safety-critical requirements.

• Built high-performing aero/performance teams; prior/current Engineering Manager.

• Advanced simulations: WIG, hydrofoil–airfoil coupling, aeroelasticity, and fluid-structure interaction analysis.

• Multidisciplinary optimization (MDO) and automated design-evaluation scripting.

• Collaborative Team Player: You believe that great things happen when teams work together. You communicate effectively and collaborate with engineers, stakeholders, and other cross-functional teams to align on goals and move projects forward. You bring people together, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and moving towards a shared vision.

• Creative Problem Solver: You thrive on tackling complex challenges and finding innovative solutions. Whether it’s optimizing data pipelines, solving integration hurdles, or improving automation workflows, you approach every problem with creativity and determination. You’re able to address immediate needs while also planning for future scalability and efficiency.

• Adaptable & Agile: In a fast-paced, ever-evolving startup environment, you quickly adapt to changing priorities and requirements. You approach challenges with a calm, resilient mindset and know how to pivot and adjust your approach as needed, ensuring that progress continues without missing a beat.

• Innovative Mindset: You’re driven by curiosity and a passion for technology. You’re passionate about driving continuous improvement, embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and team performance.

• Competitive compensation including a robust equity incentive plan.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance - we cover 100% of your premiums.

• 401(k) with company matching, so you can plan for the future.

• Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks.

• Relocation packages available for those moving to join our team.

• Daily, free catered lunches

• Learning & professional development opportunities

If you’re ready to take on an exciting challenge, grow with us, and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, but you see yourself contributing to our mission, we encourage you to apply! We value diverse skillsets and experiences and believe in the potential of passionate individuals to make a big impact.

Equal Opportunity Employer

REGENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.