Aerodynamics & Performance Engineer (R5732)

The role

You will own flight performance, endurance and mass properties for the V-BAT aircraft. You will model aerodynamics, propulsion and weight and balance, and plan flight tests to validate those models.

What you will do

• Develop and refine endurance, range, loiter and cruise performance calculations
• Own the aircraft weight and center-of-gravity model, keeping CG within stable flight limits
• Create, validate and maintain aerodynamic and propulsion models for the Guidance and Controls team
• Assess weight, drag and aerodynamic impacts of proposed design changes with Mechanical and Propulsion Design engineers
• Evaluate new payloads and estimate endurance for new or customer-specific configurations
• Plan and drive flight test campaigns to validate the operational envelope and correlate models with flight data
• Take part in root cause analysis of performance anomalies and drive corrective actions to closure
• Analyze large flight and test data sets to define operational envelope requirements and performance specifications

Required qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent technical field
• 5+ years of experience in the aerospace or defense industry
• Understanding of fixed-wing flight dynamics, aircraft performance, and aerodynamic and propulsion fundamentals
• Proficiency analyzing large data sets to define envelope requirements and validate models, such as Python, MATLAB or equivalent
• Experience developing or maintaining aircraft weight and CG models
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams to drive change
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical findings to varied audiences

Nice to have

• Full lifecycle experience from concept through development, flight test and field sustainment
• Direct experience with fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems or autonomous aircraft
• Experience building or tuning aero and engine models used by guidance, navigation and control systems
• Hands-on flight test experience, including test planning, instrumentation and data reduction
• Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, XFLR5, AVL or comparable aerodynamic and performance tools
• Understanding of airworthiness, safety or defense acquisition standards

Benefits

• Bonus
• Benefits
• Equity
• Temporary benefits package for temporary employees, applicable after 60 days of employment

Before you apply

• Offers are contingent on a cleared background check and possible reference check
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits
• Shield AI is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.