Rotorcraft Weights Engineer

CFD Research Corporation; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

ESOP

Health Insurance

Job summary

CFD Research Corporation seeks a senior rotorcraft design engineer to support the Army AvMC through weight trend analysis, NDARC modeling, and weight-equation development for conceptual to detailed designs.

The role requires 10+ years of experience, a BS in aerospace or mechanical engineering, DoD clearance eligibility, and onsite work at Redstone Arsenal, AL or Newport News, VA, with travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering from an accredited school.
• MS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• Experience with weights analyses and weight trends development.
• Experience with NDARC and AIDEN for aircraft modeling and performance.

Responsibilities

• Collect data to update weight equations and weight trends for aircraft studies.
• Assess vendor aircraft weights against existing trends and document findings.
• Use NDARC for detailed aircraft modeling and performance assessment.
• Provide input on calibration factors for NDARC models.
• Explore requirements trade space and assess operational impacts of design features.
• Collaborate with teammates to develop and test new design tools.

Skills

Rotorcraft design

Weight estimation

Trade studies

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

M.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NDARC

AIDEN

OpenVSP

OpenMDAO

Creo Parametric

Job description

About CFD Research: Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001:AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee‑owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc5000 as a top growing company for four of the last five years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.

CFD Research Corporation is seeking multidisciplinary design experts in rotary‑wing and advanced air vehicle design to support the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Center’s (AvMC) Technology Development Directorate (TDD). The engineer will apply existing computational tools, develop new computational methods, and build models in specialized areas such as cost, propulsion, and parametric design to support rotorcraft conceptual, preliminary, and detailed component design activities.

This position will support the Conceptual Design and Assessment (CD&A) branch with a focus on developing aircraft weight trends, formulation and update of weight equations, and conducting detailed weight assessment of aircraft. The position will assess air vehicle performance and weights and support the team’s assessment of cost and operational capability. The position will support the development and evaluation of new aircraft concepts against user requirements, assess ongoing aircraft development programs, and provide technical expertise to TDD for future air vehicle concepts and exploratory design initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Collect and curate data necessary to formulate updates to weight equations, develop weight trends, and apply these trends to aircraft studies as needed.
• Perform detailed assessment of vendor aircraft and compare component weights to existing trends.
• Utilize government‑standard tools, such as NASA Design and Analysis of Rotorcraft (NDARC), for detailed aircraft modeling and performance assessment.
• Provide expert input on technology factors used in calibration of NDARC models.
• Explore requirements trade space and provide guidance on operational impacts of design features as they relate to operational requirements.
• Assess current technologies and collaborate with other technical disciplines to provide system‑level assessments of component technologies.
• Collaborate with a team to develop and test new tools used in the design process.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience performing conceptual design of rotorcraft manned/unmanned systems, estimating aircraft performance and weights.
• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Direct experience performing weights analyses and developing component and system level weight trends.
• Experience developing aircraft designs and estimating performance using NDARC and Air Vehicle Integrated Design Environment (AIDEN).
• Experience conducting aircraft trade studies to define and explore trade space.
• U.S. Citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Advanced knowledge of rotor conceptual design process.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead technical efforts with minimal oversight.
• Experience with OpenVSP, OpenMDAO, and Creo Parametric.

Location

This role is full‑time based at Redstone Arsenal, in Huntsville, AL or Fort Eustis, in Newport News, VA, and is 100% onsite.

Benefits

CFD Research offers competitive salaries and excellent employee benefits, including an employer matching 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). CFD Research offers our Full‑Time, permanent employee‑owners a highly competitive insurance package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance. Additionally, we offer company paid leave, compensation time, parental leave, long‑term and short‑term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance. Part‑Time and Temporary employee‑owners may receive partial or reduced benefits and leave time based on their employment status level. Performance appraisals occur twice a year and annual pay increases are based upon corporate goals, personal development, performance, and outstanding achievements. In addition, group and individual bonuses are awarded for exceptional performance.

CFD Research is an EO employer - Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.