Gulfstream Aerospace

Aircraft Performance Engineer II

Gulfstream Aerospace • $88K — $105K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Minimum 18 months of relevant experience in aircraft performance or flight sciences.
  • Understanding of fixed-wing aerodynamics and aircraft propulsion principles.
  • Knowledge of aircraft stability and control, weight and balance, and flight control systems.
  • Ability to apply first-principles engineering methods to analyze problems.
  • Strong analytical and technical communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Perform aircraft performance analyses for all flight phases.
  • Evaluate airplane performance using computer-based methods.
  • Analyze flight test data to expand aircraft performance databases.
  • Prepare and maintain operational documentation like Aircraft Flight Manuals.
  • Support development of performance databases for avionics software.
  • Contribute to compliance documentation for FAA and EASA certifications.
  • Respond to inquiries from internal and external customers about performance data.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness plans.
  • 401(k) plan with company match.
  • Paid time off and holidays.
  • Career development and training opportunities.
  • Flexible work schedules.
Full Job Description
Aircraft Performance Engineer II in GAC Savannah

Unique Skills:

Position Summary

The Aircraft Performance team in the Flight Sciences department is responsible for the analysis, prediction, validation, and documentation of airplane performance across the full product lifecycle of Gulfstream aircraft - from early product development and certification through entry into service and continued fleet support.

The team develops and maintains performance methods, analyses, and published data used to support aircraft design, flight test, certification, customer operations, and sustained fleet airworthiness. The team is also responsible for the preparation and revision of operational performance manuals, including Aircraft Flight Manuals (AFM), Operations Manuals (OM), and performance databases used by onboard and operational software tools.

In this role, you will contribute to performance analyses for takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach, landing, and mission performance. You will also support flight test data reduction, correlation and expansion activities. This is done working closely with cross-functional teams including Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Flight Test, Certification, Avionics, and Customer Support.

Key Responsibilities

  • Perform aircraft performance analyses and predictions for all phases of flight, including takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach, landing, and whole mission performance.

  • Use and support computer-based methods and tools to evaluate airplane performance characteristics for both new aircraft development and the in-service fleet.

  • Analyze and interpret flight test data to support development, validation, and expansion of comprehensive aircraft performance databases.

  • Prepare and maintain performance data for Aircraft Flight Manuals (AFM), Operations Manuals (OM), and other operational documentation.

  • Support development of performance databases used by avionics and operational software for onboard and ground-based performance calculations.

  • Contribute to certification activities by providing analyses and compliance documentation in support of FAA, EASA, and other international regulatory authorities.

  • Support performance-related investigations and resolution of fleet sustaining issues affecting aircraft in service.

  • Respond to internal and external customers regarding published performance data, operational assumptions, and engineering methods.

  • Assist in the development, maintenance, and improvement of existing aircraft performance analysis tools, and contribute to the creation of new methods and software capabilities.


Required Skills

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field.

  • Minimum 18 months of relevant experience in aircraft performance, flight sciences, aerodynamics, propulsion, or a closely related discipline.

  • Fundamental understanding of fixed-wing aerodynamics, aircraft propulsion, and airplane performance principles.

  • Fundamental understanding of aircraft stability and control, weight and balance, and flight control system effects as they relate to airplane performance.

  • Ability to apply first-principles engineering methods to analyze technical problems and interpret results.

  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.

Preferred Skills

  • Experience with engineering analysis tools such as MATLAB and/or Fortran.

  • Familiarity with UNIX/Linux environments.

  • Exposure to flight test data analysis, aircraft certification, or AFM/performance documentation development.

  • Experience working in a regulated aerospace environment, preferably involving Part 25 transport aircraft.


Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Engineering or a related curriculum required or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job. 18 months related Engineering experience. Experience credit will be considered for related advance degrees limited to 2 years for Master's and 4 years for PhD in field applicable to the job position.

Position Purpose:

Performs engineering work related to the investigation and the solution of technical problems associated with research, design, development, service and manufacture of Gulfstream aircraft.

Job Description

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:
  1. Solves typical engineering problems within assigned discipline .
  2. Provides technical assistance to engineering staff and contributes to completion of project milestones .
  3. Responsible for a complex engineering assignment, or a full project of lesser complexity .
  4. Follows established schedules while developing plans for engineering assignments .
  5. Obtains appropriate level of supervisor approvals for work accuracy and adequacy .
  6. Proficiently applies company/organization policies and procedures .


Additional Functions:
  1. Actively works to improve daily processes, and ensures all work meets customer requirements .
  2. Maintains a current and up-to-date knowledge of developments and application of technical principles, theories, and concepts in assigned field of expertise .


Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Requirements:
  1. The level of technical skills and abilities appropriate for this grade will be established by each discipline.
  2. Applies knowledge to provide solutions to a variety of technical problems of moderate scope and complexity, using a combination of judgment with defined practices and procedures.
  3. Failure to achieve results, or erroneous decisions or recommendations, may cause delays in program schedules and/or allocation of additional resources.
  4. Ability to convey technical concepts in both written and verbal formats.
  5. Contacts are primarily within the organization, with occasional customer contacts on routine issues.
  6. Works under general supervision for routine tasks of minor complexity.
  7. With supervision/mentorship, can coordinate the activities for lower level engineering staff.
This job requires one to be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
Additional Information

Requisition Number: 233773

Category: Engineering

Percentage of Travel: Up to 25%

Shift: First

Employment Type: Full-time

Posting End Date: 10/23/2026

About Gulfstream Aerospace

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is an American aircraft company and a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. Gulfstream designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and services business jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 2,000 aircraft since 1958. Gulfstream's current range consists of the G280, G550, G500/G600, and G650/G650ER/G700/G800.
Learn more about Gulfstream Aerospace
Industry
Founded
1978

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