Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer

General Atomics; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 116,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

The General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems division in Huntsville, AL seeks a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer to advance CFD-based analysis and aerodynamic/propulsion design for weapon system programs. You will lead wind tunnel tasks, develop 6-DoF models, and coordinate with GA and customer teams in an HPC environment.

Candidates typically hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in engineering with 10+ years’ experience, strong CFD, propulsion, and programming skills, and an active DoD Secret

Qualifications

• Understanding of CFD tools, aerodynamics and propulsion principles, and HPC resources.
• Experience developing high fidelity flight simulations for missiles or hypersonic vehicles.
• Strong programming/analysis skills in Python, MATLAB, etc.
• Ability to communicate concepts and coordinate work in evolving environments.
• Active DoD Secret clearance with potential upgrade to Top Secret.

Responsibilities

• Supports design, development and analysis of precision munitions as a contributing engineer or IPT lead.
• Develops CFD simulations using Pointwise/ANSA in HPC environments.
• Leads wind tunnel test efforts, including test planning and data reduction.
• Develops 6-DoF aerodynamic models from CFD and wind tunnel data.
• Performs aeroheating analyses and propulsion subsystem design support.
• Mentors team members and presents briefing materials for reviews.

Skills

CFD tools

Aerodynamics

HPC

Python

MATLAB

Security clearance

Flight dynamics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Pointwise

ANSA

Loci/CHEM

DPLR

Fluent

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

Job Summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer to join our Aerospace Systems Engineering Directorate in Huntsville, AL. This position will provide technical expertise for Computational Fluid Dynamics-based analysis and aerodynamic and propulsion system design and development for one or more weapon system projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports design, development, and analysis of precision munitions such as guided missiles, gun-launched projectiles, and hypersonic weapon systems as a contributing engineer, Integrated Production Team (IPT) subsystem lead, or other team lead role.
• Develops Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using Pointwise and ANSA meshing software and Loci/CHEM and other (DPLR, Fluent, Star CCM+, etc.) flow solvers in a High Performance Computing (HPC) environment.
• Leads wind tunnel test efforts to include development of subcontractor statements of work, wind tunnel model and test requirements definition, wind tunnel model procurement support, wind tunnel facility coordination, test planning and execution, and post-test data reduction and analysis.
• Develops aerodynamic models for 6-DoF simulations based on analytical (CFD, engineering level tools) and empirical (wind tunnel, flight test) data.
• Performs engineering level aerodynamic predictions using tools including Missile DATCOM and the Aeroprediction code.
• Performs aeroheating analyses using CFD tools in conjunction and coordination with mechanical thermal analysts.
• Supports propulsion subsystem design, development and analysis activities for solid rocket motors, ramjets/scramjets, gas turbine engines, hot and cold gas attitude control systems, and spacecraft propulsion.
• Leads and mentors team members with less experience on complex development efforts.
• Develops and presents briefing materials for design reviews, customer presentations, peer reviews, and other high visibility meetings.
• Supports peer reviews of simulation models, analysis results, and other work products as required.
• Facilitates rapid resolution of delays that impact simulation and analysis tasks including real-time, thorough communication with task leads, program management and other leadership is required.
• Collaborates daily with GA and customer engineering and program management teams.
• Supports development of Flight Dynamics related data deliverables.
• Supports concept development activities and creation of proposals and technical white papers.
• Performs other duties as required.

Travel expectations:

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; twelve or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, ten or more years of experience with a masters degree, or seven or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Must have a thorough understanding of CFD tools, aerodynamics and propulsion and principles, and HPC resources.
• Prior experience with developing and using high fidelity flight simulations of missiles, projectiles or hypersonic vehicles is required.
• Must demonstrate strong programming and analysis capability in multiple languages such as Python, MATLAB, etc.
• Must possess the ability to develop and communicate new concepts; apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases; and, determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
• Must have strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team; able to perform complex tasks in one or more engineering areas.
• Must have an active Department of Defense (DoD) Secret level security clearance, with the ability to upgrade to Top Secret if required.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• Success in position requires consistent display of the following key abilities:
• Strong initiative - Ability and desire to work closely with a small to medium sized multi-disciplinary team to rapidly develop and mature a new weapon system.
• Excellent communication - The successful candidate will routinely document, develop, and present technical briefings, reports, and other documentation so that stakeholders across the organization readily understand the content and their related actions.
• Rapid and effective problem solving – The successful candidate will identify issues, analyze and interpret data and develop innovative solutions to a variety of complex problems in a quick and orderly fashion to meet short timelines for work product completion.
• Schedule performance - influencing and collaborating across the organization to result in contract schedule success.

Desired Job Qualifications

• Experience with developing or modifying CFD solver software tools is strongly desired.
• Experience with flight testing and pre-/post-test analysis of guided munitions (missiles, projectiles, etc.) is desired.
• Experience with propulsion (especially solid rocket motors, ramjets, scramjets) design, development, analysis, and testing is desired.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 116,480 - 208,505