Aerodynamics & Performance Engineer (R5732)

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Performance & Endurance Analysis: Develop and refine endurance, range, loiter, and cruise performance calculations based on flight dynamics, aircraft configuration, and operating environment (altitude, temperature,…
• Weight & Balance Ownership: Own the aircraft weight and center-of-gravity (CG) model, including tracking, allocation budgets, and reporting throughout design changes and configuration updates, ensuring CG remains…
• Aero & Engine Modeling: Create, validate, and maintain the aerodynamic (lift, drag, and stability) and propulsion (engine) models of the aircraft for use by the Guidance and Controls team, supporting continuous…
• Cross-Functional Design Collaboration: Partner with Mechanical and Propulsion Design engineers to assess the weight, drag, and aerodynamic performance impacts of proposed design changes to the airframe, wing, and…
• Payload & Configuration Evaluation: Collaborate with Go-To-Market teams to evaluate new payloads and estimate endurance and performance for new or customer-specific configurations.
• Flight Test: Plan and drive flight test campaigns to validate operational envelopes, correlate aero/engine models against flight data, and characterize real-world aircraft performance across the flight envelope.
• Root Cause & Corrective Action: Participate in root cause analysis (RCA) of performance anomalies and test findings, and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Requirements & Envelope Definition: Analyze large flight and test data sets to establish and refine operational envelope requirements and performance specifications.

Job requirements

• B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent technical field).
• 5+ years of experience in the aerospace or defense industry.
• Demonstrated understanding of fixed-wing flight dynamics, aircraft performance, and aerodynamic/propulsion fundamentals.
• Proficiency in analyzing large data sets to define operational envelope requirements and validate models (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or equivalent).
• Experience developing or maintaining aircraft weight and CG models.
• Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams to drive change.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings to varied audiences.
• Full lifecycle experience taking a product from concept through development, flight test, and field sustainment.