Flight Performance Engineer - UAV Flight Dynamics

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

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