Nils Kleemann

Education

• 
  Aerospace Engineering, M. Sc.

  TU Braunschweig

  Nov 2016 - Nov 2021
• 
  Aerospace Engineering, B. Eng.

  University of Applied Sciences Aachen

  Sep 2012 - Nov 2016

Professional Work Experience

• 
  Nils Kleemann Engineering

  Freelance Aerospace Engineer

  Since Oct 2024

  • Designed high-lift system concept for ELFLY AS, selecting flap type and defining deflection angles, gap, and overlap; achieved predicted maximum lift coefficients validated in subsequent CFD and wind-tunnel testing.
  • Performed comparative analysis of existing high-lift system solutions to inform design tradeoffs and ensure compliance with aerodynamic / performance targets.
  • Developed auxiliary float geometry (float and strut), optimizing length-to-beam ratio through tradeoff between structural mass and aerodynamic drag.
  • Produced CAD models of the OML in Onshape for float and strut assemblies, delivering for integration into aircraft DMU.
  • Initiated and developed “aircraftdesign.io” SaaS platform (650+ hours).
• 
  ELFLY AS, Norway

  • Head of Aircraft Design
    Jul 2023 - Sep 2024
    • Structured CS-23 Level 3 certification requirements & MOCs with focus on the Flight Physics domain
    • Authored/reviewed internal design reports, including aircraft performance, weight & balance, hydrodynamics, fuselage architecture and more.
    • Established weight & balance and inertia spreadsheet for the complete aircraft.
    • Contributed to fuselage architecture, hydrodynamics, materials, and manufacturing approach, reviewing technical outputs from team members.
    • Played a key role in scaling the company from a handful of employees to nearly 30, conducting technical interviews and onboarding new engineers.
    • Delivered presentations to management and the full team, communicating critical tradeoffs and informing high-level technical decisions.
  • Aerospace Engineer
    May 2022 - Aug 2023
    • Led aircraft conceptual design, evaluating 15–20 configurations in OpenVSP, selecting optimal architecture via tradeoff matrix, and sizing wings and tail surfaces.
    • Selected airfoils for all lifting surfaces and delivered scaled aerodynamic designs for flight test models.
    • Developed the initial drag model and conducted first aircraft performance analyses, becoming the company’s go-to expert on aircraft design and performance data.
    • Built performance analysis tool in Google Sheets to estimate flight range, considering certification-required mission segments, reserves, and power profiles.
• 
  Aircraft Design Certification GmbH

  Master Student

  Mar 2021 - Oct 2021

  • Supported full-scale certification flight tests, performing data acquisition and post-flight data evaluation
  • Designed the casing and aerodynamic fairing for measurement equipment in Onshape, ensuring minimal drag and robust integration.
  • Developed Python automation tools for airfoil and control surface analysis,
  • Authored Master Thesis on a semi-empirical method for control surface loads, modifying XFOIL pressure distributions to account for separated flow effects on control surface load distribution.
• 
  DLR, Institute of Flight Systems

  Student Research Assistant

  Mar 2018 - Dec 2018

  • Performed simulations of helicopter rotor aerodynamics using a free wake code to analyze rotor performance.
  • Developed scripts to automate multi-day simulation runs, improving efficiency and reducing manual intervention in the research workflow.
  • Contributed simulation outputs to ongoing rotorcraft aerodynamics and flight dynamics projects at the Institute.
• 
  University of Applied Sciences Aachen, Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

  Intern

  Nov 2015 - Apr 2016

  • Researched and developed a winglet design methodology as part of Bachelor Thesis work.
  • Findings were adopted into lecture material by supervising professor for use in future aerospace engineering courses.
  • Participated in standard laboratory exercises including subsonic and supersonic wind tunnel experiments.
• 
  Premium AEROTEC GmbH

  Intern

  Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  • Completed 12-week introduction to aerospace manufacturing directly after high school.
  • Gained hands-on training in CNC and manual milling, metalworking, and solid riveting in the training workshops.
  • Worked on the A320 fuselage assembly line, gaining first-hand experience of large-scale aircraft manufacturing processes and working conditions.
  • Contributed to composite control surface manufacturing process by interviewing shop-floor personnel and designing a new floor layout to streamline the queueing process for parts curing.

Projects & Research

• 
  Project e-wing

  e-wing

  Apr 2019 - Feb 2021

  • Co‑founded project e‑wing, developing a two‑seat, solar‑electric flying wing (BWB) personal aerial vehicle concept.
  • Applied Quasi‑3D aerodynamic method integrated into an MDO framework (SUAVE) to optimize design configurations.
  • Built and test‑flew a scale model to validate conceptual design.
  • Authored and presented a scientific paper at AIAA SciTech 2020 in Orlando, FL (co-authored by: Prof. A. Elham & S. Karpuk).
  • Engaged with University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt students through outreach, flights and project presentations, which led to the project being selected by a professor as the basis for a corporate identity course.

Awards and Certificates

• 
  SAWE Scholarship

  Jun 2020

  • Awarded for student research in aircraft weight engineering as part of the student research and e-wing project.
• 
  Flight Test Lab

  FH Aachen, ZHAW School of Engineering

  Nov 2015

  • Preparation, execution and evaluation of flight tests on gliders and powered aircraft.

Skills