Senior Aircraft Performance Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulfstream Aerospace is seeking a Senior Aircraft Performance Engineer to lead performance analyses across all flight phases, from takeoff to landing, for both new designs and in-service fleets.

You will transform flight-test data with first-principles methods, develop manuals and performance tools, and work with FAA/EASA and other regulators. This role emphasizes technical leadership and cross-team mentorship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical field required.
• 10 yrs in a specific technical discipline or 15 yrs broad eng exp with bachelor.
• Experience in aircraft performance, flight sciences, aerodynamics, propulsion, or related field.
• Strong understanding of fixed-wing aerodynamics, propulsion, performance, and flight characteristics.
• Experience with 14 CFR Part 25 certification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex aircraft performance analyses across all flight phases.
• Apply first-principles engineering and computational methods.
• Analyze and expand flight test data to validate models.
• Develop performance data for manuals and tools.
• Develop certification plans and compliance analyses.
• Review flight test plans and results; resolve issues.
• Lead or support investigations of performance issues in fleet.
• Maintain and modernize performance tools and methods.
• Provide technical leadership to less-experienced engineers.

Skills

Aircraft performance

Flight sciences

Aerodynamics

Propulsion

Stability and control

Certification planning

First principles

Analytical skills

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Advanced degree credit (Masters/PhD)

Tools

MATLAB

Fortran

UNIX/Linux

Job description

Senior Aircraft Performance Engineer

Onsite in Savannah, GA

Shape how Gulfstream aircraft perform from first flight through certification and years of operation in the fleet.

As a Senior Aircraft Performance Engineer, you will take on some of the most technically challenging work behind Gulfstream aircraft development and certification. You will turn flight test results and first-principles engineering into the performance data pilots, certification authorities, engineering teams, and customers rely on to understand what our aircraft can do.

This is a senior technical contributor opportunity for an engineer who understands the connection between aerodynamics, propulsion, flight test, certification, and real-world aircraft performance.

Your Opportunity

You will lead and support performance analysis across the full flight envelope, including takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach, landing, and complete mission performance.

Your work will span the aircraft lifecycle, from new product development and flight test through certification, entry into service, and continued fleet support. You will collaborate with teams across Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Flight Test, Certification, Avionics, and Customer Support while providing technical guidance to less-experienced engineers.

You will also help develop the performance data and methods that support Aircraft Flight Manuals, operational manuals, onboard and ground-based performance tools, and regulatory compliance.

Why Gulfstream

This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of aircraft performance, flight test, and certification on some of the world’s most advanced business aircraft.

In this role, you can:

• Contribute directly to new aircraft development and certification programs.
• Work with real flight test data to validate and expand aircraft performance models.
• Influence performance methods, tools, certification strategies, and published aircraft data.
• Collaborate directly with flight test, engineering, certification, and regulatory organizations.
• Provide technical leadership while remaining deeply engaged in hands-on engineering.
• Support Gulfstream aircraft from development through entry into service and continued fleet operation.

What You Will Do

• Lead complex aircraft performance analyses across all phases of flight, including takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach, landing, and mission performance.
• Apply first-principles engineering and computational methods to evaluate aircraft performance for new designs, derivative aircraft, and the in-service fleet.
• Analyze, correlate, and expand flight test data to develop and validate aircraft performance models and databases.
• Develop and maintain performance data for Aircraft Flight Manuals, Operations Manuals, and onboard and ground-based performance tools.
• Develop certification plans, compliance analyses, reports, and technical positions supporting FAA, EASA, and other regulatory authorities.
• Review flight test plans and results and help resolve technical and certification issues.
• Lead or support investigations involving aircraft performance issues affecting the operating fleet.
• Develop, maintain, and modernize aircraft performance analysis tools and engineering methods.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to less-experienced engineers.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or another applicable engineering or technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the role.
• 10 years of experience in a specific technical discipline or 15 years of broad engineering experience across several technical disciplines with a bachelor's degree.
• Experience in aircraft performance, flight sciences, aerodynamics, propulsion, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Strong understanding of fixed-wing aerodynamics, aircraft propulsion, aircraft performance, and flight characteristics.
• Understanding of stability and control, weight and balance, and flight control system effects as they relate to aircraft performance.
• Experience supporting transport-category aircraft certification under 14 CFR Part 25 or equivalent requirements.
• Experience developing or reviewing certification plans, compliance documentation, analyses, or technical positions.
• Ability to independently solve complex technical problems using first-principles engineering and sound technical judgment.
• Strong analytical, technical leadership, and written and verbal communication skills.

Advanced-degree experience credit may be considered in fields applicable to the position, limited to 2 years for a master's degree and 4 years for a PhD.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current FAA Flight Analyst Designated Engineering Representative (DER) or Authorized Representative (AR) authorization, or experience supporting qualification for DER/AR authorization.
• Advanced experience with MATLAB and/or Fortran.
• Experience developing, maintaining, or modernizing aircraft performance software and legacy analysis programs.
• Experience working in UNIX/Linux environments.
• Flight test planning, data reduction, correlation, and expansion experience supporting aircraft performance certification.
• Experience developing Aircraft Flight Manual performance data, operational manual content, or aircraft performance databases.
• Experience working directly with the FAA, EASA, or other aviation regulatory authorities.
• Advanced degree in engineering or a related technical field.

Candidates with additional experience and qualifications may be considered for opportunities at a higher technical level.

Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in engineering or technical related curriculum applicable to the respective job position required or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. 10 yrs in specific technical discipline or 15 yrs broad eng experience in several technical disciplines with Bachelors. Experience credit considered for related adv degrees limited to 2 yrs for Masters and 4 yrs for PhD in fields applicable to this job.

Position Purpose:

Guides successful completion of major engineering programs, or conceives research in areas of considerable scope and complexity supporting the development and production of Gulfstream products and services

Job Description

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:

1. Selects appropriate methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to resolve complex engineering issues .
2. Is consulted extensively by associates and others as a recognized authority within the field .
3. Anticipates and resolves complex issues in creative and effective ways, developing standards and guides for diverse engineering activities .
4. Approach to problem solving balances technical product, cost and schedule .
5. Works without appreciable direction; work is reviewed from a long-range perspective for desired results .
6. Exercises latitude in determining technical objectives of assignments, and makes decisions and recommendations that are recognized as authoritative .

Additional Functions:

1. Maintains a current knowledge of developments in the field of specialty and/or other related aircraft fields in order to recommend innovations to improve quality and effectiveness of company product .

Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Requirements:

1. Advanced degree in engineering, or related curriculum preferred.
2. The level of technical skill and abilities appropriate for this grade will be established by each discipline.

This job requires one to be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

Additional Information

Requisition Number: 236912

Category: Engineering

Percentage of Travel: Up to 25%

Shift: First

Employment Type: Full-time

Posting End Date: 11/06/2026

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

Gulfstream does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position, unless the applicant is a currently sponsored Gulfstream employee.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world's most technologically-advanced business jet aircraft

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