Performance Technical Specialist III

Gulfstream • Savannah, GA

3d

About The Position

The Performance Technical Specialist III is responsible for aircraft performance for Gulfstream’s current fleet and new product development. The role translates product requirements into design targets, develops tracking parameters, and creates performance models to support test procedures, data analysis, design compliance, and certification documentation. It uses computer-based tools to analyze aircraft performance across all phases of flight and for overall mission analysis, and evaluates performance factors to support product development.

The specialist supports certification and fleet programs by reviewing flight-test plans, coordinating with aviation authorities, developing certification plans and compliance materials, analyzing flight-test data, and preparing or approving certification reports and performance data for manuals and avionics software. The role also supports new product development, fleet sustaining issues, sales and marketing, customer inquiries, contractual performance guarantees, and the maintenance and development of performance-analysis software and methods.

This is a senior technical leadership position responsible for complex engineering projects and decisions with broad impact. It calls for independent judgment, authoritative technical recommendations, development of standards and innovative methods, and mentoring of less experienced engineers. The position works under consultative direction and may perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related engineering field, plus 13 years of experience in the job offered or a related position; alternatively, a relevant master’s degree plus 11 years of experience, or a relevant Ph.D. plus 9 years of experience.
• Experience with aircraft performance projects spanning conceptual design, preliminary design, detailed design, flight-testing, certification, and post-certification sustaining activities.
• Experience developing innovative aircraft performance methods for efficient determination of performance through flight-testing and simulation.
• Experience applying first-principles analysis to fixed-wing aerodynamics, propulsion, and performance.
• Experience with airplane flight characteristics, weight, and balance.
• Experience defining and developing certification roadmaps for new aircraft performance methods.
• Experience with transport-category airplane certification projects under Part 25 for multiple authorities, such as the FAA, EASA, TCCA, and ANAC.
• Experience with Fortran, MATLAB, Visual Basic, IADS, and Unix/Linux.
• Experience with Take-Off Performance Awareness and Altering System (TOPAAS) and Runway/Overrun Awareness & Alerting System (ROAAS).
• Experience with aircraft product design.
• Legal authority to work in the United States.
• The job posting also lists a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related applicable curriculum and 13 years in a specific technical discipline, or 15 years of broad engineering experience across several technical disciplines. Related advanced-degree experience credit is limited to 2 years for a master’s degree and 4 years for a Ph.D.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in engineering or a related applicable curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Manage aircraft performance activities for the current fleet and new product development.
• Translate product requirements into design targets and develop key tracking parameters for decision-making during development.
• Create performance models to optimize test procedures and data reduction, demonstrate design compliance, and develop certification documents.
• Analyze airplane performance in all phases of flight and conduct overall mission analysis using computer-based tools.
• Evaluate aircraft performance factors to support product development.
• Review flight-test plans for certification projects.
• Coordinate with aviation authorities, including the FAA and EASA, on compliance with performance regulations.
• Develop and review applicant positions for Issue Papers and CRIs.
• Develop and review certification plans and compliance checklists.
• Analyze flight-test data to support airplane performance database development.
• Prepare, review, and approve certification compliance reports.
• Prepare, review, and approve performance data for airplane flight manuals, operations manuals, and avionics software.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to less experienced engineers.
• Respond to customer and operator inquiries about published performance data.
• Support Sales and Marketing with aircraft performance data and competitor analysis.
• Prepare and verify aircraft performance contractual guarantees.
• Support new product development programs and fleet-sustaining issues.
• Prepare performance data for new aircraft models and derivatives of current models.
• Maintain legacy computer analysis programs and support development of modified and new software tools and methods.
• Lead complex engineering projects within established scope and make authoritative technical decisions and recommendations.
• Develop innovative principles and ideas, and independently determine improved methods and procedures to optimize technical product, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Develop standards and guides for diverse engineering activities.
• Conceive and plan investigations in important areas where engineering precedents are lacking.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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