Aeroelastic Lead

Analytical Mechanics Associates Inc.; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

401(k) with match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) seeks two Aeroelastic Leads to own aeroelastic and unsteady-aerodynamic content for a flight dynamics module in a simulator platform. You will model, validate, and translate aeroelastic behavior across subsonic and transonic regimes, coordinating with CFD and structural teams to ensure faithful, real-time integration.

Role emphasizes technical leadership, V&V planning, and producing validated data packages for systems engineering and regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• Bachelors + 8-15 years, Masters + 6-13 years, or PhD + 3-10+ years of experience.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Salary range of $150k-$225k stated in the posting.

Responsibilities

• Aeroelastic analysis & modeling of the airframe, including flutter and buffet.
• Unsteady aerodynamics using methods like doublet lattice and CFD-derived data.
• Coordinate with CFD SME and Aero Lead to align analyses and data.
• Generate and interpret structural dynamics data and FE models.
• Deliver validated aeroelastic data packages to systems engineering for real-time integration.
• Ensure multi-regime coverage across subsonic and transonic flows.
• Define V&V plans and acceptance criteria; correlate with tests and wind tunnel data.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring; document results for QA/regulatory.
• Support regulatory submissions and program reviews with evidence.

Skills

Aeroelasticity

Flutter analysis

Unsteady Aerodynamics

Static & Dynamic Aeroelastic Effects

Structural Dynamics

Loads Analysis

Flight Dynamics Modeling

Flight Simulation / FSTD Integration

Education

Bachelor's degree + 8-15 years

Master's degree + 6-13 years

PhD + 3-10+ years

Job description

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.