Aerodynamics Engineer

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)