Aircraft Performance Engineer

Executive Recruiting Group • San Luis Obispo, CA

7d • $120,000 - $180,000

About The Position

We are seeking a Performance Flight Sciences Engineer to work across vehicle conceptual design, aircraft performance, and flight testing. The role involves predicting aircraft capability and influencing design decisions, supporting flight tests in real time, and comparing test results with analytical models. It offers the opportunity to follow an aircraft from design analysis through flight testing and contribute directly to the development of next-generation aircraft.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering area.
• 3 to 10 years of experience as a performance or flight science engineer in the aerospace industry, working with rotorcraft, aircraft, or eVTOL.
• Knowledge of aircraft design, performance analysis, basic aerodynamics, and flight physics.
• Basic understanding of engineering optimization and ability to use and further develop optimization-based analysis tools for aircraft performance and design.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python, with the ability to understand, modify, and extend engineering analysis tools.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Basic understanding of aircraft certification requirements and their application to aircraft performance, such as 14 CFR Parts 23, 25, 27, or 29 and/or Powered-lift.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexible and positive mindset when working with cross-cultural teams from inside and outside the aviation industry.
• Understanding of operations specifications under FAR 91, FAR 121, and FAR 135.
• Knowledge and experience with C++ or other engineering programming languages.
• Knowledge and experience with CFD analysis toolsets.
• Capability with aerodynamic prediction tools such as vortex-lattice and panel codes.
• Private or commercial pilot license.

Responsibilities

• Work with engineers to improve the new aircraft design concept and safety strategy for normal and emergency operations.
• Analyze aircraft performance across scenarios and produce engineering reports.
• Develop and extend HRI performance analysis tools and processes to improve efficiency and capability.
• Define requirements for systems such as electrical power units, batteries, generators, and flight controls, collaborating with related engineering teams on aerodynamics, safety, mass, stability and control, loads, structures, and systems.
• Support test planning with test pilots and other engineers.
• Predict aircraft flight and ground test results using models; compare predictions with test data to identify and resolve issues, and update models or designs as needed.
• Provide real-time support for flight-test missions via telemetry, and conduct post-flight test data reduction and analysis.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level