Gas Turbine Performance Lead Engineer

• Systems Engineering
• Design Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering

Pay Rate: $80.75/hr

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking an experienced Gas Turbine Performance Lead Engineer to join an elite Performance & Operability Engineering Team supporting advanced commercial and military gas turbine engine programs.

This role is ideal for a subject matter expert in gas turbine thermodynamics, performance analysis, operability modeling, and NPSS development who is passionate about solving complex propulsion challenges and mentoring the next generation of engineers.

You’ll play a critical role throughout the New Product Introduction (NPI) lifecycle, developing and maintaining engine performance models that directly influence engine architecture, certification, customer deliverables, and program success.

• Build, debug, refine, and maintain advanced gas turbine thermodynamic models
• Develop both steady-state and transient engine cycle models
• Analyze engine performance, operability, and system behavior across operating conditions
• Support engine definition throughout all phases of the product lifecycle

• Create and maintain high-fidelity models using Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS)
• Develop customer-specific engine models
• Improve model accuracy, robustness, and predictive capability
• Troubleshoot and validate model performance

• Perform requirements analysis and decomposition
• Support model-based engineering activities
• Ensure alignment between customer requirements and engine performance objectives
• Contribute to systems-level decision making

• Serve as a technical leader and mentor for NPSS modeling activities
• Drive effective knowledge transfer across engineering teams
• Train and guide engineers in advanced thermodynamic and operability modeling techniques
• Establish modeling best practices and standards

• Present technical findings to:
  • Customers
  • Engineering leadership
  • Program teams
  • Executive stakeholders
• Develop technical reports, presentations, and analytical summaries
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively

• Work closely with:
  • Systems Engineering
  • Design Engineering
  • Controls Engineering
  • Certification Teams
  • Program Management
• Support global engineering programs and customer initiatives

• Bachelor’s Degree in:
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Related technical discipline
• 7+ years of turbine engine performance and operability modeling experience
• Extensive experience with:
  • NPSS (Numerical Propulsion System Simulation)
  • Gas turbine thermodynamics
  • Steady-state performance modeling
  • Transient operability analysis
• Proven ability to solve complex propulsion system challenges
• U.S. Citizenship required

• Expert-level understanding of:
  • Gas turbine engine physics
  • Thermodynamic cycle analysis
  • Engine operability
  • Compressor and turbine matching
  • Engine transient behavior

• Significant experience:
  • Building NPSS models from the ground up
  • Debugging complex cycle simulations
  • Developing customer-facing models
• Experience in MBSE environments
• Experience connecting NPSS models with:
  • Cameo
  • Digital engineering frameworks
  • Model-based systems engineering tools

• Demonstrated mentoring and coaching ability
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Experience presenting to customers and executive leadership
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities simultaneously

• Deep expertise in gas turbine performance and operability
• Advanced NPSS modeling experience
• Strong steady-state and transient analysis capabilities
• Ability to mentor and elevate engineering teams
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Systems-thinking mindset
• Proven track record solving highly complex propulsion challenges
• Comfortable working independently with significant technical responsibility

At PDS Tech Commercial, you’ll help shape the future of aerospace propulsion by…