Performance Engineer

Overview

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on uncrewed systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies. At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology. We leverage proven, cutting-edge methodologies and technology to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks, ensuring timely delivery of cost-effective solutions to market.

The Performance Engineer is a technical generalist in propulsion system thermodynamics, turbo machinery performance, and aerodynamic analysis, providing system-level insight into propulsion system behavior across all major gas-path components of the engine. This role supports propulsion system performance analysis and validation by collecting, formatting, analyzing, and reporting test performance data across development, acceptance, and qualification programs. Reporting to the Senior Performance Engineer, the role focuses on execution, analytical rigor, and data integrity, ensuring performance results are accurate, traceable, and ready to inform engineering decisions, corrective actions, and customer deliverables.

The Performance Engineer works closely with Test Engineering, Product Engineering, Design Engineering, Manufacturing, and customers to interpret engine performance using analytical methods, computational tools, and test data, with emphasis on overall system behavior and airframe integration effects.

• Test Data Collection & Formatting:
  Support engine and system testing by collecting and organizing performance data from test events; support test planning and instrumentation definition, including channel selection, units, and sampling considerations; verify test configurations, metadata, and facility conditions are correctly captured; format raw test data into structured datasets suitable for analysis and reporting; ensure data integrity, traceability, and configuration alignment.
• Performance Data Analysis & System Interpretation:
  Analyze test data to assess engine and system performance against expectations; apply thermodynamic and aerodynamic analysis to interpret performance trends; identify deltas, anomalies, and performance sensitivities across major gas-path components; support comparison of test results to analytical predictions and historical baselines; assist with regression, trending, and statistical analysis as directed.
• Engine Cycle Modeling & Aerothermo Analysis:
  Develop and maintain engine thermodynamic cycle models for internal engineering use and customer delivery; define performance metrics, calculations, and efficiencies used for analysis; account for facility, installation, and airframe effects in performance interpretation; apply turbo machinery and aerodynamic analysis to diagnose performance issues; support design updates and trade studies for performance improvement.
• Reporting & Visualization:
  Develop performance plots, charts, and tables for internal and customer use; support creation of engine test summary reports and performance history reports; prepare clear, concise performance content for design reviews, program reviews, and customer briefings; ensure reports are technically accurate, well-organized, and professionally formatted.
• Test Correlation & Model Validation:
  Support correlation of analytical models to test data under direction of the Senior Performance Engineer; assist with documenting correlation results and performance validation findings; support refinement of assumptions, boundary conditions, and model inputs based on test outcomes.
• Issue Support & Root Cause Analysis:
  Support investigation of performance anomalies and shortfalls; assist Senior Performance Engineer with analytical root cause efforts; quantify impacts of design changes, process variation, or test conditions on performance results; support verification of corrective actions through follow-on analysis.
• Engineering, Manufacturing & Customer Integration:
  Partner with Test Engineering to understand test objectives and instrumentation needs; work with Mechanical Design and Manufacturing to interpret performance impacts of hardware and processes; interact directly with customers to provide technical guidance on engine modeling, operation, performance capability, and airframe installation considerations; ensure performance findings are fed back into Engineering, Test, Manufacturing, and Program teams.
• Documentation, Configuration & Digital Thread:
  Maintain configuration control of performance datasets, analysis files, and reports; ensure traceability between test data, configurations, and reported results; support integration of performance data into PLM, test databases, and QMS as required; ensure performance documentation is audit-ready and…