Laura Pla Olea-Aerodynamics Engineer (Student Worker)
Check rate
Experience
Aerodynamics Engineer (Student Worker)
Ford Motor Company
- Redesigned aerodynamic components of electric vehicles using Blender and 3DX (CATIA), reducing drag and increasing range; improvements validated in wind tunnel testing.
- Ran 100+ high-fidelity CFD simulations in STAR-CCM+ to characterize vehicle aerodynamics, directly informing design decisions across multiple EV programs.
- Improved CFD predictions at key vehicle locations using test data and physical assumptions, resulting in 20% higher fidelity results provided to a collaborating team.
- Led root cause analysis of CFD-to-wind-tunnel discrepancies, which heavily affected 5%+ of parts designed.
- Developed multiphase (air-water) simulations using Fluid Film, Volume of Fluids (VOF), Lagrangian Multiphase (LMP), and Dispersed Multiphase (DMP) models to study rain and water effects on vehicles, improving sensor placement for visibility.
- Developed custom in-house CFD postprocessing tools in Java (ParaView), reducing engineer analysis time by 50% and improving result clarity across the aerodynamics team.
Applied Aerodynamics Intern
Zipline
- Built a structured aerodynamic database of forces and moments for three UAV propellers, enabling the controls team to rapidly access and integrate flight-critical data.
- Reduced postprocessing time of test data from the order of hours to just minutes by automating a data analysis pipeline using MATLAB for 150+ propeller tests.
- Created experimental test plan and assisted systems test engineering team in experimental trial of propellers.
- Designed stator spokes of two different propellers using Siemens NX to avoid resonance and noisy flow separation.
- Performed and post-processed CFD simulations in STAR-CCM+ to optimize spokes' geometry and aeroacoustic performance.
Loads & Dynamics Intern, Flight Physics Intern
Kittyhawk
- Independently designed, validated, and delivered an in-house aerodynamic model in C++ for the Gazebo physics engine, achieving 12% accuracy improvement over the default model and extending applicability to high angles of attack.
- Combined custom Python scripts with XFOIL and XROTOR to evaluate an innovative design for passive variable pitch propellers solely actuated by aerodynamic loads on the reflexed airfoils of the blades.
- Conducted dimensional analysis to establish aerodynamic equivalence between full-size prototype and experimental test model.
- Optimized dimensions of wing flaps using XFOIL for maximum aerodynamic and control efficiency in operational flight conditions.
- Ensured compliance of structural load calculations for eVTOL aircraft with CFR Part 23 and Part 27 through rigorous code verification and documentation.
Teaching Assistant
UC Irvine
- Led discussions and tutorials for 180 undergraduate students in fluid mechanics classes, explaining basic concepts and advanced fluid dynamics principles.
- Assessed 2,000+ assignments, quizzes, and exams, delivering structured feedback to support student development.
- Advised students with personalized out-of-class assistance during office hours and targeted sessions.
- Received consistently strong student evaluations, achieving an average rating of 3.93/4 across teaching surveys.
Graduate Student Researcher
Aeronautics, Dynamics, and Control Laboratory
- Developed a reduced-order model for unsteady aerodynamics of oscillating airfoils that reduced computational cost by orders of magnitude compared to classical methods, broadening applicability to previously intractable flight regimes.
- Achieved up to 40% lift increase and 60% drag reduction by applying geometric nonlinear control theory to identify unconventional force generation and stabilization mechanisms.
- Coded and analyzed Beddoes-Leishman model for dynamic stall and similar dynamical models in MATLAB to predict mean unsteady aerodynamic loads on a two-dimensional airfoil.
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Aerospace and Defense, Education, and Automotive.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Product Development and Research and Development.
Summary
Aerospace engineer with a PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and 5+ years of research and industry experience in aerodynamic design and high-fidelity CFD simulation. Proven track record at companies including Ford Motor Company and Zipline, developing aerodynamic models and improving simulation accuracy.
Skills
- Software: Microsoft Office, Windows (Os), Ubuntu (Os), Jira, Confluence, Latex, Git
- Programming Languages: Matlab, Python, C++, Java, Arduino
- Engineering Software: Blender, 3dx, Autocad, Solidworks, Siemens Nx, Star-Ccm+, Ansys, Paraview, Periscope, Xfoil, Avl, Xrotor, Simulink
Languages
Education
University of California, Irvine
Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering · Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering · Irvine, United States · 3.97/4
University of California, Irvine
M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering · Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering · Irvine, United States · 3.91/4
Polytechnic University of Catalonia
M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering · Aeronautical Engineering · Terrassa, Spain · 9.13/10
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Laura is based in Barcelona, Spain and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Laura speaks the following languages: Catalan (Native), Spanish (Native), English (Advanced).
Laura has at least 6 years of experience. During this time, Laura has worked in at least 5 different roles and for 5 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 1 month. Note that Laura may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Laura would be well-suited for roles such as: Aerodynamics Engineer (Student Worker), Applied Aerodynamics Intern, Loads & Dynamics Intern, Flight Physics Intern.
Laura's most recent position is Aerodynamics Engineer (Student Worker) at Ford Motor Company.
In recent years, Laura has worked for Ford Motor Company, Zipline, Kittyhawk, UC Irvine, Aeronautics, Dynamics, and and Control Laboratory.
Laura is most experienced in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Education, and Automotive.
Laura is most experienced in business areas like Product Development and Research and Development.
Laura has recently worked in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Education, and Automotive.
Laura has recently worked in business areas like Product Development and Research and Development.
Laura holds a Doctorate in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from University of California, Irvine, a Master in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from University of California, Irvine, a Master in Aeronautical Engineering from Polytechnic University of Catalonia and a Bachelor in Aerospace Engineering from Polytechnic University of Catalonia.
The availability of Laura needs to be confirmed.
Daily rate distribution
The rates shown represent the typical market range for freelancers in this position based on recent contracts on our platform.
Average rates for similar positions
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 26 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Similar freelancers
Discover other experts with similar qualifications and experience
Nikola Vranjic
Van quan Hoang
Felix Schaller
David Thompson-ajayi
Leon Meier
Konrad Müller
Yassine Bouzidi
Daniel Ribes
Alejandro Diaz bandres
Qianyan Tan
Experts recently working on similar projects
Freelancers with hands-on experience in comparable project as a Aerodynamics Engineer (Student Worker)
Abdelrahman Elmagdoub
Emre Ates
Saqib Hussain
Heena Patel
Ali can Ispir
Sergej Gusew
Muhammed Alp
Dirk Markus Freelancer
Robert Haas
Martina Clairand
Nearby freelancers
Professionals working in or nearby Barcelona, Spain
Marc Herrera
Kolja Isijanov
Adam Shrimpton
Arda Gurtuna
Ariana Basciani Fernández
Tina Louise
Sergey Muzykantsky
Christoph Groenegress
Leonardo Lanni
Christine Vogt
