Flight Performance Engineer

Tiberius Aerospace•Tucson, AZ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Tiberius Aerospace is seeking a Flight Performance Engineer to support vehicle and engine performance modeling, test data reduction, and database validation for our advanced air vehicle and munition programs. This role is the bridge between CFD, ground and flight test, and the performance models that the broader program relies on. You will build and maintain reduced-order performance models, reduce test data from wind tunnel and engine test campaigns, and help close the loop between predicted and measured performance. This is a strong fit for an analytically minded engineer who wants exposure across modeling, test, and design without specializing purely in CFD. Coordinate daily with internal discipline leads and interface directly with government customer technical representatives.

Requirements

B.S. or higher in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
4 or more years of experience in aerodynamics, propulsion, or flight performance analysis, which may include relevant graduate research, internships, or industry experience.
Proficiency in tools and methods for performance modeling, data analysis, and automation.
Working knowledge of aerodynamic and propulsion fundamentals including coefficient definitions, engine cycle performance, and flight mechanics.
Familiarity with reduced-order vehicle performance modeling such as 3-DOF or point-mass trajectory simulation.
Exposure to CFD-derived aerodynamic and propulsion databases and how they are integrated into performance models.
Experience working with test data including data reduction, basic statistical analysis, and uncertainty considerations.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in maintaining models, databases, and analysis documentation.
Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience reducing flight test, wind tunnel, direct-connect engine, or ground engine test data.
Experience supporting test planning including instrumentation definition and test point selection.
Background in uncertainty quantification or statistical analysis methods applied to engineering performance data.
Experience with high-dynamic, high-g, or gun-launched flight environments.
Active U.S. Secret or Top-Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain reduced-order vehicle performance models, incorporating aerodynamic and propulsion data for use in design trade studies and program performance tracking.
Support database management for aerodynamic and propulsion, including version control, interpolation scheme validation, and uncertainty bound documentation across Mach, altitude, attitude, and throttle conditions.
Perform test data reduction for wind tunnel campaigns including force and moment balance data, pressure measurements, and flow visualization results.
Perform test data reduction for engine or direct-connect test campaigns including thrust, fuel flow, pressure recovery, and combustion efficiency calculations.
Support correlation analysis comparing model predictions against test or flight data, identifying discrepancy sources and supporting model refinement recommendations.
Develop test instrumentation and data acquisition plans in coordination with the test team, defining required measurements and sampling requirements to answer specific performance questions.
Support uncertainty quantification for performance predictions, including propagation of measurement uncertainty and model-form uncertainty into program-level performance margins.
Maintain analysis documentation including model derivation, data sources, validation basis, and revision history for audit and knowledge transfer purposes.
Coordinate with CFD engineers on data handoff format and timing for incorporating CFD results into performance models and databases.
Provide performance model outputs to the Flight Dynamics & Controls team for trajectory simulation and requirements verification support.
Support test campaign planning and execution logistics in coordination with other Aero-Performance engineers and external test facility partners.
Participate in design reviews and provide performance modeling support for aerodynamic and propulsion design decisions.
Support program management with performance status updates, model maturity assessments, and risk identification related to performance predictions.
Coordinate with Quality or Test Engineering on test data archiving, traceability, and configuration management practices.
Interface with government customer technical representatives and subject matter experts on performance requirements and design trade-offs.
Build and maintain flight vehicle and propulsion performance models, including reduced-order simulation environments, used to predict and track program-level performance.
Support generation and maintenance of aerodynamic and propulsion databases, integrating CFD and test-derived data into a consistent, well-documented format.
Reduce and analyze test data from wind tunnel, ground engine test campaigns, and flight testing, supporting comparison against model predictions.
Support test planning activities including instrumentation requirements definition, test point selection, and success criteria development for ground and flight test campaigns.
Document correlation results and update models as new data becomes available.
Collaborate with other Aero- Propulsion engineers to ensure performance models reflect the latest analysis and test results.
Support trade studies evaluating aerodynamic and propulsion configuration options against program performance requirements.
Prepare performance analysis summaries and supporting documentation for program milestone packages.
Serve as the primary performance presenter at major program milestone reviews including conceptual design review, preliminary design review, and critical design review.