FLIGHT PERFORMANCE & HANDLING QUALITIES LEAD

FLYING WHALES; Suresnes; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-sharing and equityParticipation

Fast-track growth opportunities

Remote working options

Interviews with leadership team

Job summary

FLYING WHALES in Suresnes, France seeks a Flight Performance & Handling Qualities Lead to head the team responsible for the airship's flight performance and handling characteristics.

You will develop and validate the flight dynamics model, plan flight test instrumentation, analyze results, and contribute to certification efforts while collaborating with the Safety and Certification teams. Remote working options are available.

Qualifications

• Master of Science (or engineering degree) in Aeronautics, Aerospace, Marine Engineering, or General Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in aircraft flight dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team responsible for flight performance and handling qualities.
• Assess flight performance and handling qualities of the airship.
• Develop the flight dynamics model validation plan and define the flight test instrumentation (FTI).
• Analyse test results and calibrate the flight dynamics model.
• Establish means of compliance for certification and produce certification reports.

Skills

6 DoF modelling

Matlab/Simulink

Aerodynamics

Flight dynamics

Education

Master of Science (or engineering degree) in Aeronautics, Aerospace, Marine Engineering, or General Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

FLIGHT PERFORMANCE & HANDLING QUALITIES LEAD

FLYING WHALES is an extraordinary industrial adventure.

We are developing an aerial transport solution to support the economic development of remote regions and significantly reduce the environmental footprint of cargo transport.

FLYING WHALES is designing in consortium, will build on three continents, and will operate worldwide a fleet of airships, the LCA60T, capable of loading and unloading up to 60 tonnes of cargo (timber, wind turbine blades, containers, mobile hospitals, etc.) while hovering, with a particularly low environmental footprint. This transport system is unique in the world. FLYING WHALES also develops FLYING WHALES SERVICES, the company responsible for operating this fleet, combining the expertise of an airline and an airport operator.

At FLYING WHALES, we carry an ambitious vision that brings together more than 200 pioneers today, a powerful international shareholder base, and around fifty partner companies. Pioneers of the 21st century, women and men, who contribute every day their drive, passion, and expertise to bring to life not only a new transport solution, but also an idea — the idea that societies must be able to keep building connections in order to grow.

This is the mission FLYING WHALES has set for itself: opening up isolated regions around the world while contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and transport infrastructure.

Would you like to help us write one of the pages in the history of aeronautics and the economic development of remote regions? Here is the pioneer we are looking for:

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

As part of our organic growth in France and internationally, we are recruiting a FLIGHT PERFORMANCE & HANDLING QUALITIES LEAD.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

You will lead the team responsible for flight performance and handling qualities:

Assessment of flight performance and handling qualities of the airship:

• Conduct analyses of the stability and controllability characteristics of the airship,
• Conduct flight performance analyses,
• Perform failure analyses in collaboration with the Safety department.

Flight test preparation and participation:

• Develop the flight dynamics model validation plan and define the flight test instrumentation (FTI),
• Analyse test results and calibrate the flight dynamics model.

Contribution to airship certification:

• Establish means of compliance for certification,
• Conduct associated analyses and produce certification reports

YOUR BACKGROUND:

• Education: Master of Science (or engineering degree) in Aeronautics, Aerospace, Marine Engineering, or General Engineering.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in aircraft flight dynamics

YOUR SKILLS:

• 6 DoF modelling and simulation.
• Proficiency in Matlab/Simulink.
• Knowledge of aerodynamics and flight dynamics.
• Knowledge of flight handling qualities certification regulations (CS 25, CS 23).

YOUR QUALITIES:

• Team spirit.
• Analytical mindset

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Profit-sharing and equity participation.
• Fast-track growth opportunities within an expanding company.
• Remote working options.
• An interview with Thomas, Talent Acquisition Specialist.
• An interview with Vincent, Head of Definition and Performance.
• An interview with Fabrice, Head of the Logical Architecture department.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

• Contract: Permanent (CDI)
• Location: Suresnes, France (92)
• Position available: As soon as possible
• Department: Logical Architecture
• Contact: www.flying-whales.com
• Reference: PERFLEAD - 2026

FLYING WHALES is committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees are valued for their skills and experience.

If you are passionate and convinced by the project, and if this position feels like a great opportunity to you, we would be delighted to meet you!