Staff Aerodynamics Engineer, Flight Test & Certification

Archer • San Jose, CA

6h

About The Position

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.

Requirements

• BS / MS / PhD in Aerospace Engineering or a related field
• 10+ years of experience with BS, or 8+ years of experience with MS, or 4+ years of experience with PhD in flight testing fixed-wing aircraft and/or rotorcraft, tiltrotor, eVTOL
• Experience with accepted flight test techniques on fixed-wing aircraft and/or rotorcraft, tiltrotor (e.g., AC 27-1B, AC 29-2C, AC 23-8C, AC 25-7D, ASTM Standards, or ADS-33)
• Demonstrated certification experience with 14 CFR Part 27, 29, 23 and/or 25 Subpart B for a new type design (strongly preferred) or amended/supplemental type design
• Strong understanding of fixed-wing and rotorcraft aerodynamics, performance, and stability & control
• Experience with flight test planning, instrumentation, execution, and data reduction techniques for design verification and certification purposes
• Familiarity in Python programming (strongly preferred) or Matlab/Simulink programming coding experience
• Excellent work planning and issue resolution skills
• Strong technical, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in groups and individually
• Experience in a fast-paced design environment

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with FAA AC 21.17-4 Type Certification – Powered-Lift
• Prior experience as a DER and/or ODA E-UM Flight Analyst
• Extensive experience with conventional airplane Part 23/25 and/or rotorcraft Part 27/29 certification basis and test methods for Subpart B
• Experience with wind tunnel testing and data processing of rotorcraft, tiltrotor, or eVTOL
• Extensive experience processing and showing aerodynamic data for FAA compliance
• Experience developing and expanding AFM performance charts (e.g., table expansion of weight, altitude and temperature)
• Direct experience working with regulatory agencies related to Subpart B Flight compliance (e.g., FAA Parts 23/25/27/29)
• Experience supporting Fault Hazard Assessment (FHA)
• Certification experience with aircraft or rotorcraft equipped with fly-by-wire flight control systems
• Experience with Handling Qualities Task Elements (HQTEs) and Cooper Harper Handling Qualities Rating (HQR)
• Control law and/or Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC) experience
• Experience developing complex Static Source Error Corrections (SSEC) with advanced knowledge of air data systems
• Familiarity with software development, object-oriented, version control best practices, as well as Git, CICD, Conda
• Familiarity with Curtiss Wright IADS

Responsibilities

• Conduct aerodynamic testing and analysis in support of Subpart B Flight Characteristics and Performance certification
• Develop tools to analyze and process flight test data
• Establish flight test parameter tolerances and data quality metrics
• Perform in-depth analysis of flight test data and compare with predictions, including data expansion across the entire flight envelope. Generate test reports to document findings and recommendations.
• Develop substantiation documentation for showing compliance with airworthiness criteria
• Interface with the FAA and DERs related to airworthiness and compliance
• Collaborate with the Flight Test organization to plan and execute flight test events to collect data to validate aerodynamic models as well as vehicle performance and requirements
• Develop methods, processes and documentation for aircraft fleet support (e.g., assessment and guidance for repairs, Configuration Deviation List, Minimum Equipment List)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree