Aerospace Engineer / Flight Performance Engineer

ConSol Partners; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ConSol Partners in Bristol is seeking a Flight Performance Engineer to help shape the next generation of fixed-wing UAVs used in defence and security applications. You’ll work at the intersection of aerodynamics, flight dynamics, propulsion and mission performance to translate models and flight-test data into real design insights.

The role covers developing performance models, defining flight envelopes, running 6-DOF simulations, analysing telemetry, and supporting certification and technical

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in aircraft performance, flight dynamics or a closely related discipline.
• Strong understanding of fixed-wing aerodynamics and flight mechanics.
• Experience with 6-DOF or point-mass simulation.
• Experience analysing flight-test and telemetry data.
• MATLAB and/or Python skills for analysis, modelling and automation.
• An Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or related degree, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Developing and maintaining aircraft performance models.
• Defining flight envelopes based on stability, control authority and structural constraints.
• Building and refining 6-DOF and point-mass simulations.
• Conducting trade studies across key aircraft performance characteristics.
• Designing flight-test plans and analysing telemetry data to validate performance.
• Evaluating autopilot and control-system performance alongside GNC and avionics teams.
• Identifying performance limitations and recommending design or operational improvements.
• Working closely with aerodynamics, structures, avionics and systems engineering teams.
• Supporting performance documentation for certification, customers and technical manuals.

Skills

Fixed-wing aerodynamics

Flight dynamics

6-DOF simulation

Telemetry data analysis

MATLAB

Python

Education

Aerospace Engineering degree

Equivalent experience

Tools

JSBSim

Simulink

MATLAB/Simulink tooling

Job description

Help shape how the next generation of fixed-wing UAVs perform.

We’re recruiting a Flight Performance Engineer to join a growing engineering team developing advanced fixed-wing Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) for demanding defence and security applications.

Working at the intersection of aerodynamics, flight dynamics, propulsion and mission performance, you’ll use modelling, simulation and real-world flight-test data to understand aircraft performance and directly influence future design decisions.

This is an opportunity to take your analysis beyond the desktop, helping define how aircraft are designed, tested and ultimately operated.

What you’ll be doing

• Developing and maintaining aircraft performance models
• Defining flight envelopes based on stability, control authority and structural constraints
• Building and refining 6-DOF and point-mass simulations
• Conducting trade studies across key aircraft performance characteristics
• Designing flight-test plans and analysing telemetry data to validate performance
• Evaluating autopilot and control-system performance alongside GNC and avionics teams
• Identifying performance limitations and recommending design or operational improvements
• Working closely with aerodynamics, structures, avionics and systems engineering teams
• Supporting performance documentation for certification, customers and technical manuals

We’re particularly interested in engineers with:

• 3+ years' experience in aircraft performance, flight dynamics or a closely related discipline
• Strong understanding of fixed-wing aerodynamics and flight mechanics
• Experience with 6-DOF or point-mass simulation
• Experience analysing flight-test and telemetry data
• MATLAB and/or Python skills for analysis, modelling and automation
• An Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or related technical degree, or equivalent experience

Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, JSBSim, autopilot systems, weight & balance, CG management, GNC or airworthiness/certification would be particularly valuable.

Why consider it?

You'll have the opportunity to work across the complete aircraft development lifecycle, using simulation and flight-test data to influence real design decisions on advanced UAV platforms.

Location

The position is based in Bristol, with flexible hybrid working. Due to the collaborative and practical nature of the role, a minimum of three days per week on site is expected.

Occasional UK and international travel may be required.

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of the programmes involved, applicants must be eligible and willing to undergo UK SC-level Security Clearance vetting.