Aeroelastic Lead

Analytical Mechanics Associates Inc.; Colorado; In loco; USD 150.000 - 225.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is seeking two Aeroelastic Leads to own the aeroelastic content of a flight dynamics module for a flight simulator training platform. You will model, validate, and deliver aeroelastic representations across subsonic and transonic regimes.

This hands-on leadership role requires coordinating with CFD and systems engineering, producing validation evidence and data packages for real-time integration, and mentoring junior staff.

Competenze

• US citizenship required.
• Education as described in qualifications.
• Salary range stated as $150k-$225k.

Mansioni

• Lead static and dynamic aeroelastic analysis of the airframe, including divergence, flutter, and buffet behavior.
• Apply unsteady aerodynamic methods and CFD-derived data to characterize loads across flow regimes.
• Coordinate with CFD SME and Aero Lead to align aeroelastic corrections with baseline data and FE model inputs.
• Generate and interpret structural dynamics data (modal models, FE models) for integration into aeroelastic and flight dynamics models.
• Deliver validated aeroelastic and unsteady-aero data packages to systems engineering for real-time integration into the simulator.
• Define V&V plans and acceptance criteria for the aeroelastic content and correlate with flight test and wind tunnel data.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and communication of risk/trade-offs to leadership and customers.
• Produce technical reports and validation evidence for simulator qualification.

Conoscenze

Aeroelasticity

Flutter Analysis

Buffeting / Buffet Response

Unsteady Aerodynamics

Static & Dynamic Aeroelastic Effects

Structural Dynamics

Loads Analysis

Flight Dynamics Modeling

Flight Simulation / FSTD Integration

Formazione

BS/MS/PhD with aeroelastic experience

Strumenti

FEA

CFD

Reduced-order modeling

Descrizione del lavoro

Job Description:

We are hiring two Aeroelastic Leads to own the aeroelastic and unsteady-aerodynamic content of a flight dynamics module being developed for integration into a flight simulator training platform. This is a hands-on technical leadership role: you will define, model, and validate the aeroelastic behavior of the aircraft represented in the simulator - including static and dynamic aeroelastic effects, flutter, and buffet/buffeting response - and ensure that behavior is correctly and efficiently represented across the full flight envelope and across multiple flow regimes (subsonic and transonic, as applicable to the program).

The candidates will own the aeroelastic analysis discipline - translating high-fidelity aeroelastic and unsteady-aero analysis into validated models and reduced-order representations that systems engineering integrates into the simulator's real-time flight dynamics module. You will be part of an Aero team that works closely with systems engineering throughout to ensure that integration preserves the fidelity that matters for training. Both roles share the responsibilities below and are part-time:

Key Responsibilities:

• Aeroelastic analysis & modeling - lead static and dynamic aeroelastic analysis of the airframe, including divergence, control reversal, flutter analysis (flight flutter envelope, flutter margins, mode coalescence), and buffet/buffet response / buffeting onset prediction.
• Unsteady aerodynamics - apply unsteady aerodynamic methods (e.g., doublet lattice, reduced-order aerodynamic modeling) and CFD-derived unsteady aerodynamic data to characterize loads and dynamic response across flow regimes.
• Cross-discipline coordination - partner with the team's CFD SME to define unsteady CFD requirements (flow conditions, mesh, extraction of generalized aerodynamic forces) supporting flutter and buffet analysis; partner with the team's Aero Lead to align aeroelastic corrections against the baseline low-fidelity aero database and wind tunnel data, and to coordinate FE model inputs and assumptions where structural FEA work is shared across the team.
• Loads & structural dynamics - generate and interpret structural dynamics data (modal models, GVT-correlated FE models) and support static and dynamic loads analysis feeding the aeroelastic and flight dynamics models.
• Flight dynamics module support - deliver validated aeroelastic and unsteady-aero data packages (reduced-order models, aeroelastic corrections to the rigid-body aero database, structural mode data) to systems engineering for integration into the simulator's real-time flight dynamics module; support systems engineering through V&V of the integrated behavior.
• Multi-regime coverage - ensure the module correctly represents aeroelastic and unsteady effects across the aircraft's operating flow regimes (e.g., subsonic and transonic, as applicable), including regime-dependent flutter and buffet behavior.
• Verification & validation - define V&V plans and acceptance criteria for the simulator's aeroelastic content; correlate simulator behavior against flight test, wind tunnel, and/or high-fidelity analysis data.
• Technical leadership - act as the subject-matter authority on aeroelasticity for the program; review and mentor supporting engineers; communicate technical status, risk, and trade-offs to program leadership and customers.
• Documentation & evidence - produce technical reports, analysis packages, and validation evidence for the aeroelastic content of the simulator, suitable for internal review and to support program-level simulator qualification / regulatory acceptance submissions (e.g., FAA FSTD qualification).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's of Science Degree plus 8-15 years' work experience, Master's of Science Degree plus 6-13 years' work experience or PhD plus 3-10+ years' work experience.
• Candidates must be US citizens.
• Salary range: $150k-$225k

Preferred Experience with:

• Aeroelasticity
• Flutter Analysis
• Buffeting / Buffet Response
• Unsteady Aerodynamics
• Static & Dynamic Aeroelastic Effects
• Structural Dynamics
• Loads Analysis
• Flight Dynamics Modeling
• Flight Simulation / FSTD Integration

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

AMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.