Engineer, Flight Simulation

Otto Aerospace, Inc.; Jacksonville (FL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) opportunities

Paid time off

Job summary

Otto Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a Flight Simulation Engineer to develop and validate a 6-DOF aircraft flight-dynamics model used in design, pilot-in-the-loop evaluation, and simulator qualification.

You will work with wind-tunnel data, CFD, and flight-test results to refine coefficients, trim behavior, and control effectiveness. The role supports model architecture, validation evidence, and progression toward Level D simulator qualification, with remote-start and eventual onsite relocation to

Qualifications

• Education: BS in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering.
• 4–7 years of experience in flight dynamics or real-time simulations.
• Strong knowledge of 6-DOF, stability and control, data correlation.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and refine the 6-DOF flight-dynamics model.
• Translate aero databases and CFD outputs into validated simulation parameters.
• Correlate models against wind-tunnel, CFD, and flight-test data.
• Develop validation plans and criteria for model verification.
• Support model maturation and configuration-control throughout the lifecycle.
• Coordinate with Aerodynamics, Flight Sciences, Flight Controls, Systems, and Certification teams.

Skills

6-DOF dynamics

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Real-time sim

Model validation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

C/C++

Real-time debugging

Job description

About Otto Aerospace

OTTO Aerospace is developing the world’s first fifth-generation business jet, designed for sustainability through advanced super-laminar aerodynamics and high-precision, net-shaped composites. Flight testing of our technology demonstrator has validated a dramatic reduction in fuel burn and a substantial improvement in cabin comfort. OTTO Aerospace designs world-class aircraft from first-principles physics to deliver breakthrough aircraft and economic performance.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager of System Integration and Simulation Test, the Flight Simulation Engineer develops, validates, controls, and continuously improves the aircraft flight simulation model throughout the full aircraft lifecycle. The role delivers simulation models and validation evidence that support aircraft design, systems integration, pilot-in-the-loop evaluation, flight-test preparation, certification, and simulator qualification. This role contributes to the integration, implementation, validation, and configuration control of the aircraft six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) flight-dynamics and aerodynamic simulation model. Working with experienced technical leads and partner functions, the engineer supports model architecture, aerodynamic database implementation, wind-tunnel and CFD correlation, flight-test updates, validation evidence, and progressive refinement toward simulator qualification objectives.

What You'll Do

• Develop, maintain, and refine assigned areas of the aircraft 6-DOF simulation model, which may include aerodynamic forces and moments, mass properties, propulsion effects, ground handling, atmospheric effects, and control-surface interactions.
• Translate aero databases, stability/control derivatives, wind-tunnel results, CFD outputs, and engineering assumptions into validated simulation parameters.
• Correlate the simulation model against wind-tunnel, CFD, analytical, ground-test, and flight-test data.
• Analyze correlation results and recommend updates to aerodynamic coefficients, trim behavior, control effectiveness, stall-onset behavior, damping, transient response, and edge-of-envelope characteristics in coordination with the responsible technical disciplines.
• Develop model verification and validation plans for assigned functions, define objective pass/fail criteria, document model limitations and assumptions, maintain requirements traceability, and support baselined model releases under established configuration-control processes.
• Develop and execute validation test cases for handling qualities, performance, stability, control response, and special-case flight conditions, with review by the appropriate technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to and maintain assigned portions of the model maturation roadmap in coordination with Aerodynamics, Flight Sciences, Flight Controls, Systems, Flight Test, Software, and Certification.
• Track model updates across early design, wind-tunnel and CFD activities, ground test, flight test, certification, production, and in-service changes.
• Support the long-term objective of Level D simulator qualification by preparing model validation evidence, documenting objective test comparisons, ensuring repeatability, and following established configuration-control processes in support of the applicable qualification test guide.
• Coordinate with aerodynamics, flight sciences, flight controls, systems, flight test, software, and certification teams.

Who You Are

• Education: Bachelor of Science Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering disciplines.
• Experience: 4-7 years of relevant experience developing, integrating, validating, or maintaining aircraft flight dynamics, aerodynamics, or real-time simulation models.
• A relevant advanced degree may be considered as part of the overall experience of assessment.
• Strong understanding of 6-DOF equations of motion, aircraft stability and control, aero coefficient modeling, trimming, linearization, and data correlation.
• Experience using wind-tunnel, CFD, flight-test, or simulator data to update and validate aircraft models.
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and Python for model development, data analysis, automation, and validation.
• Experience with C/C++ and one or more real-time simulation is preferred.
• Experience integrating aircraft models into real-time simulation environments, including interface definition, timing and execution-rate management, data exchange, software-in-the-loop or hardware-in-the-loop integration, and troubleshooting across simulation components.
• Experience supporting engineering flight simulators, pilot-in-the-loop evaluations, flight-test preparation, or simulator qualification is preferred.

Required Skills

• Communicates technical information clearly to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Collaborates effectively across engineering, test, software, and certification teams.
• Listens actively and incorporates stakeholder feedback.
• Resolves cross-functional issues constructively and builds alignment.

Where You'll Be

This position will initially be remote with travel but will transition to onsite (relocation provided) to our new Jacksonville, FL headquarters in Q1 or Q2 2027.

Benefits

• competitive salaries
• subsidized medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) opportunities
• paid short term disability
• voluntary long-term disability and additional term life
• 15 paid days off
• 13 paid company holidays
• paid sick leave

Depending on seniority and role, some roles qualify for potential bonuses and stock options.

Otto Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our hiring process. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. We believe that a diverse team brings fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and greater success. The more inclusive we are, the stronger we become.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

OTTO is developing the world’s first fifth-generation business jet, designed for sustainability through the innovative use of advanced super-laminar aerodynamics and high-precision, net-shaped composites. Flight tests of our technology demonstrator validate a dramatic reduction in fuel burn and allow for a sizeable improvement in cabin comfort. Otto Aerospace is designing world-class aircraft from first principles of physics and delivering ground-breaking aircraft and economic performance. Otto Aerospace is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.