Aerodynamics Engineer

Overview

Published:
Nov 08, 2024 - The Aerodynamics Engineer focuses on advancing complex Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods tailored for aircraft analysis, covering dynamics, hysteresis, and engine modeling, as well as ground effect and malfunction scenarios. This role involves streamlining the integration and evaluation of the Thermal Management and Aircraft Data Systems across test and production models, enhancing both safety and performance.

In addition, the engineer develops semi-empirical methods to estimate excrescence drag and refine aircraft specifications related to gaps, sealing, and tolerances while establishing standardized processes for conformity inspection.

Aero Flow Solutions — Aerodynamics Engineer, Boise,

• Design aerodynamic compression components and technology
• Analyze component and engine test data to validate aerodynamic designs
• Develop analytical tools/software to improve aerodynamic design and predictive capabilities
• Implement plans to achieve technical and program requirements
• Develop lean processes to improve job productivity and efficiency
• Reviews, updates, and compiles aerodynamic data for application by other engineering disciplines and flight operations
• Develops standardized analysis and reporting tools
• Supports flight test execution by providing vehicle performance and handling quality estimates and limitations to support development and ongoing updates to the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)
• Conducts post-flight data analysis and provides updates to improve aerodynamic modeling, including inputs for flight simulation development and improvements
• Building Computational Fluid Dynamic meshes for aerodynamic force and moment predictions

Aero Innovations Group — Aerodynamics Engineer, Reno, NV

• Assist in developing complex CFD methods, specific to this aircraft, for topics such as dynamic derivatives, hysteresis, ground effect, malfunction modeling, engine modeling
• Prepare documentation detailing CFD best practices based on these methods
• Using prior knowledge of OEM processes and methods, build upon the existing framework to aid DOA
• Support WT activities such as generating test matrices, model specifications, correlation studies and correction factors
• Develop efficient methods for determining corner points in the Loads envelope, assist the Loads team with corrections to the UVLM model
• Integration and assessment of the Thermal Management System
• Integration and assessment of the Aircraft Data System for both the test and production vehicles
• Develop semi-empirical methods for estimation of excresence drag.
• Apply methods to determine specifications for gaps, sealing, tolerances etc.
• Develop processes for conformity inspection

Aero Innovations Group — Qualifications

• CFD Development (Hard Skills)
• Documentation (Hard Skills)
• OEM Knowledge (Hard Skills)
• Wind Tunnel Testing (Hard Skills)
• Loads Analysis (Hard Skills)
• Systems Integration (Hard Skills)
• Conformity Inspection (Hard Skills)

Blue Horizon Dynamics — Aerodynamics Engineer, Boulder, CO

• Perform preliminary configuration and layout of a new aircraft.
• Provide preliminary performance estimates.
• Provide estimates for airplane performance such as cruise speed, stall speed, rate of climb, take-off and landing distances, etc.
• Estimate the effect of design changes on airplane performance.
• Troubleshoot and implement solutions for aerodynamic shortcomings such as drag, cooling, stability and control, and slow speed handling.
• Reduce flight test data to extract meaningful data and present it.
• Determine what test points are required for the analysis.
• Provide system instrumentation location and flow field measurement error estimates and necessary corrections.

Blue Horizon Dynamics — Qualifications

• Aircraft Configuration Layout (Hard Skills)
• Design Guidance for Handling (Hard Skills)
• Performance Metrics Calculation (Hard Skills)
• Impact Analysis of Design Changes (Hard Skills)
• Flight Testing Support (Hard Skills)
• Aerodynamic Troubleshooting (Hard Skills)
• Flight Test Data Analysis (Hard Skills)

Virgin Orbit — External Aerodynamics (Launch Vehicle) Responsibilities

• Analysis of launch vehicle and carrier aircraft external Aerodynamics using multiple toolsets from low to high-fidelity
• Correlation of Flight Test Data to CFD Models
• Analyze wind tunnel test data to identify anomalies
• Select proper sensor and data acquisition systems for capturing aerodynamic data and model correlation
• Present analytical results to the technical community and recommend design enhancements/improvements
• Help Virgin Orbit do its part to make the world a better place
• Constantly learn new things and share them with team members
• Provide external flow analysis to assist in the aerodynamic design of new airplanes and modifications to existing airplanes.
• Track and estimate weight and center of gravity for existing and conceptual airplanes.
• Use this knowledge of the distributed mass of the airplane to compute inertial loads on the airplane.
• Provide structural loads in support of structural substantiation.

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