Senior Aerodynamics and Propulsion Test Engineer

Wing•Palo Alto, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Wing offers drone delivery as a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for last mile logistics. Consumer appetites for on-demand services are increasing, but current delivery methods are inefficient, costly, and contribute to road accidents and air pollution. Wing’s fleet of highly automated delivery drones can transport small packages directly from businesses to homes on-demand, in minutes. We design, build, and operate our aircraft, and offer drone delivery services on two continents. Our technology is designed to be easy to integrate into existing delivery and logistics networks, offering a scalable drone delivery solution for a broad range of businesses. Wing is a part of Google's parent company, Alphabet, and our mission is to create the preferred means of delivery for the planet. If you're ready to do the greatest work of your life, come join us. Wing is looking for a Senior Aerodynamics & Propulsion Test Engineer to join our Aircraft Development team. This role is based onsite in Palo Alto, CA. The ideal candidate is a subject matter expert owning the wind tunnel and propulsion test and analysis function including developing and maintaining test infrastructure, developing new methodologies for propulsion subsystem characterization and verification, and leading test campaigns. You bring superb technical, research and analytical capabilities with a demonstrated ability to get the right work done quickly and effectively, diving deep, producing analyses, and communicating results to a broad audience of stakeholders.

Requirements

8+ years experience in wind tunnel and propulsion testing and instrumentation for electric or hybrid-electric Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and/or distributed electric propulsion aircraft
Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field
Proficiency with instrumentation software and data processing tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or equivalent).
Strong experience with National Instruments data acquisition hardware and sensor selection for aerodynamic, propulsion, and motor testing
Proficiency with Labview and experience with TCP/IP, CAN bus protocols
Experience partnering with a multidisciplinary engineering team, including mechanical, electrical, GN&C, and software disciplines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

Plan and execute aerodynamic testing, including wind tunnel testing, propeller testing, motor testing, and aeroacoustic testing, at both onsite and external facilities
Select, build, and maintain data acquisition (DAQ) systems, automated test scripts, and data acquisition pipelines
Design, build, and maintain custom test fixtures using CAD and rapid-prototyping methods
Select, install, and calibrate sensors such as force/torque sensors, thermocouples, optical sensors, and air data systems.
Process raw test data to characterize and evaluate propulsion systems for thrust, power, efficiency, acoustic, dynamic response, and thermal performance across the full operational envelope, including edge-of-envelope and failure-mode conditions
Produce data products and comprehensive test reports support design reviews and simulation development
Develop calibration procedures and maintain traceability of all instrumentation systems.