Principal Propulsor Aeromechanics Engineer

Volantes Technical Recruitment Ltd; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Volantes Technical Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Principal Propulsor Aeromechanics Engineer to take technical ownership of aircraft propulsor aeromechanics, including duct and blade aerodynamics, rotor dynamics, aeroelasticity and acoustics.

You will address challenges linked to shrouded lift fans and distributed propulsion, covering inflow distortion, propulsor-airframe interaction, and aeroelastic coupling with the aircraft structure, guiding design through testing and analysis.

Qualifications

• Experience in turbomachinery, rotorcraft or propeller aeromechanics.
• Ownership of fan/propeller aerodynamics from design to testing.
• Strong understanding of unsteady aerodynamics and inflow distortion.

Responsibilities

• Lead duct and blade aerodynamic design and map propulsion performance across hover, edgewise flight, transition and cruise.
• Analyze inflow distortion and its impact on blade loading and unsteady aerodynamics.
• Own rotor and blade structural dynamics, including resonance and imbalance.
• Lead propulsor aeroelastic analysis and contribute models to aeroelastic assessments.
• Own propulsor aeroacoustics, including noise sources and reduction measures.
• Collaborate with propulsion, aerodynamics, structures, flight sciences and test teams.
• Define and interpret propulsor testing, including whirl rig and acoustic testing.
• Correlate analysis with test data to drive design improvements.

Skills

Aerodynamics

Rotor dynamics

Aeroelasticity

Acoustics

Propulsor design

Education

Advanced degree in aerodynamics

Aerospace engineering degree

Tools

CFD

FEA

Matlab/Simulink

Job description

Principal Propulsor Aeromechanics Engineer

Location: UAE

About the Role

As the Principal Propulsor Aeromechanics Engineer, you will take technical ownership of the aeromechanics of the aircraft's propulsors, covering duct and blade aerodynamics, rotor dynamics, aeroelastic behaviour and acoustics.

You will work on the aerodynamic challenges associated with shrouded lift fans and distributed propulsion, including inflow distortion, propulsor-airframe interaction, transition flight and aeroelastic coupling between the propulsor and aircraft structure.

This role represents the planned specialisation of the propulsor aeromechanics function as the programme develops.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead duct and blade aerodynamic design and develop propulsor performance maps across hover, edgewise flight, transition and cruise.
• Analyse inflow distortion and its impact on blade loading, unsteady aerodynamics and thrust variation.
• Own rotor and blade structural dynamics, including critical speeds, resonance avoidance, imbalance and blade-loss scenarios.
• Lead propulsor aeroelastic analysis and contribute propulsor models to aircraft-level aeroelastic and whirl-flutter assessments.
• Own propulsor aeroacoustics, including noise source characterisation, tonal and broadband noise and noise-reduction measures.
• Work with Flight Sciences on propulsor-airframe aerodynamic interaction, including installed thrust and lift interference.
• Define and interpret propulsor testing, including whirl rig, thrust stand, inflow and acoustic testing.
• Correlate analysis with test data and use findings to drive design improvements.
• Work closely with propulsion, aerodynamics, structures, flight sciences and test teams.

Required Experience

• 10+ years' experience in turbomachinery, rotorcraft or propeller aeromechanics, including at least 4 years in aircraft applications.
• Proven ownership of fan, rotor or propeller aerodynamic design through to performance validation and testing.
• Strong rotor and blade structural dynamics experience, including resonance, critical speeds and imbalance cases.
• Strong understanding of unsteady aerodynamics and inflow distortion effects on rotating systems.
• Experience correlating engineering analysis with rig or flight-test data and using results to drive design changes.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with ducted or shrouded fans and edgewise or transitional flight regimes.
• eVTOL or rotorcraft aeroacoustics and community noise certification.
• Whirl flutter and propulsor-pylon aeroelastic coupling.
• High-fidelity unsteady CFD for rotating machinery.
• Advanced degree in aerodynamics, turbomachinery, aeroelasticity or a related discipline.