Summary:
The Specialist Engineer, Aerodynamics is the expert level individual contributor providing technical leadership in the flight sciences at Piper Aircraft. The role is a multi-faceted position that requires a command of engineering practices related to flight test data reduction and expansion, computational fluid dynamics, wind tunnel modeling, and preliminary aircraft design.
Essential Job Functions:
• Guide, create, innovate, and review flight test plans related to aircraft flying qualities and performance
• Accurately analyze flight test data to reduce and expand aircraft performance information for the Pilot’s Operating Handbook
• Serve as the subject matter expert for addressing flight sciences irregularities resulting from production or experimental flight testing
• Execute and coach others to perform efficient computational fluid dynamics modeling of complex surfaces up to and including an entire airframe
• Lead wind tunnel modeling efforts to include model definition, instrumentation requirements, site selection, and data analysis
• Perform well reasoned trade studies, initial sizing, lofting, and competitor analysis in support of new product development projects
• Support accident investigators with a best possible flight path and/or aircraft performance estimate when requested following an incident or accident
• Other related tasks as assigned
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This role has no supervisory responsibilities. The employee may be required to provide technical leadership for other flight sciences engineers.
Education and Experience Required:
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering or closely related field
• Minimum of ten years of engineering experience in aerodynamics and/or flight sciences
• Documented experience to allow addition to the ODA as a flight analyst unit member within one year of hire
Preferred:
Graduate degree(s) in engineering or a related field
• Previous designation as an ODA flight analyst unit member or DER
• Published research related to flight sciences
• Pilot’s certificate(s)/rating(s)