Aircraft Performance Engineer

Executive Recruiting Group; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Recruiting Group is seeking a Performance Flight Sciences Engineer to work across vehicle conceptual design, aircraft performance and flight testing—from predicting aircraft capability to supporting tests in real time and comparing results with analytical models.

This role offers a unique opportunity to follow an aircraft from design analysis to actual flight testing, contributing to next-generation aircraft development. Requires 3–10 years in aerospace and proficiency in MATLAB/Python.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 3–10 years of experience as a performance or flight science engineer in aerospace (rotorcraft, aircraft, or eVTOL).
• Knowledge of aircraft design, performance analysis, basic aerodynamics and flight physics.
• Understanding of engineering optimization and ability to develop optimization-based analyses.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for engineering analyses.
• Knowledge and experience with CFD toolsets.
• Capability with aerodynamic prediction tools such as vortex-lattice and panel codes.
• Private or commercial pilot license.

Responsibilities

• Analyze aircraft performance for scenarios and produce engineering reports.
• Develop and extend performance analysis tools and processes.
• Define system requirements and collaborate with design teams on electrical power units, flight controls, and related systems.
• Support test planning with pilots and engineers.
• Predict flight/ground test results using models and update designs accordingly.
• Provide real-time flight test support via telemetry and data analysis.
• Test planning support with the test pilots and other engineers.

Skills

C++ programming

Communication skills

Cross-cultural collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Master's Degree preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Python

CFD toolsets

VLM/Panel codes

Job description

We are seeking a Performance Flight Sciences Engineer, who will work across vehicle conceptual design, aircraft performance and flight testing—from predicting aircraft capability and influencing design decisions to supporting flight tests in real time and comparing test results against analytical models.

This role provides a unique opportunity to follow an aircraft from design analysis to actual flight testing and directly contribute to the development of our next-generation aircraft.

Duties:

• Working with engineers to improve the new aircraft design concept and the safety strategy during normal and emergency operation. Analyze aircraft performance for all the scenarios and produce engineering reports.

• Develop and extend HRI performance analysis tools and processes to build efficiency and capability.

• Make requirements for systems (e.g., electrical power units like battery and/or generator, flight controls, etc.), collaborating with all related engineering teams on technical matters (e.g., aerodynamics, safety, mass, stability & control, load, structure, and systems).

• Test planning support with the test pilots and other engineers.

• Predict aircraft flight/ground test results by using models, compare the prediction to test data to identify and resolve issues, and update the models/design as needed.

• Real-time support for Flight Test missions via telemetry and post-flight test data reduction and data analysis

• A Bachelor's Degree in a relevant engineering area, with a Master's Degree is preferred.

• 3 to 10 years of experience as a performance or flight science engineer in aerospace industry, either of rotorcraft, aircraft or eVTOL.
• Knowledge of aircraft design, performance analysis, basic aerodynamics and flight physics.

• Basic understanding of engineering optimization, with the ability to use and further develop optimization-based analysis tools for aircraft performance and design.

• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python, with the ability to understand, modify, and extend the engineering analysis tools.

Preferred

• Basic understanding of aircraft certification requirements and their application to aircraft performance. (e.g., 14 CFR Parts 23, 25, 27, 29 and/or Powered-lift).

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Flexible and positive mindset to work with cross-cultural people coming from in/outside of aviation industry.

• Understands the requirement of operations specifications per FAR 91, FAR 121, and 135.

• Knowledge and experience with C++ programming, or other engineering programming languages.

• Knowledge and experience with CFD analysis toolsets.

• Capability with aerodynamic prediction tools such as vortex-lattice and panel codes.

• Private or commercial pilot license.