POSITION SUMMARYThe Flight Dynamics Engineer develops, integrates, tests, and validates physics-based aircraft models to ensure simulator performance accurately represents the actual aircraft. This includes modeling and evaluating aerodynamics, propulsion, equations of motion, atmospheric effects, ground reaction, flight controls, and other systems that influence aircraft behavior and performance. It can also include the engineer generating theoretical data through means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), wind tunnel analysis, or equation driven modeling In lieu of aircraft data.
The Flight Dynamics Engineer analyzes aircraft performance and engineering data, investigates differences between simulated and actual aircraft behavior, and develops or modifies software models to achieve required simulator fidelity. This position also develops and executes Automatic Fidelity Tests (AFTs) to satisfy Qualification Test Guides (QTGs) and other verification and validation methods to demonstrate simulator performance against aircraft data, system requirements, and customer expectations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES- Develop, modify, integrate, test, and maintain mathematical and physics-based models of aircraft behavior, including aerodynamics, propulsion, equations of motion, atmospheric effects, ground reaction, flight controls, automatic flight control systems, motion, vibration, and related simulation systems.
- Analyze aircraft performance, flight test, engineering, and other available source data to develop, tune, and validate simulation models.
- Develop, execute, and analyze Automatic Fidelity Tests (AFTs) and other verification and validation methods to assess simulator performance against aircraft data and applicable requirements.
- Develop Qualification Test Guides (QTGs) for simulator validation in accordance with FAA Part 60, AC120-40B(C), or contract equivalent variants.
- Investigate discrepancies between simulated and actual or expected aircraft performance and determine appropriate model, software, or system corrections.
- Develop new and modify existing simulation software using C/C++ and other applicable programming or scripting languages in Linux and Windows environments.
- Support design reviews, engineering analyses, simulations, integration activities, and component/system testing to ensure products meet technical, contractual, and customer requirements.
- Support hardware/software integration, including interfaces with control loading, motion, cockpit, and other simulator systems.
- Physically and logically troubleshoot and debug simulation systems, software, models, interfaces, and computer configurations.
- Collaborate with engineers from multiple disciplines to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues throughout the software development, integration, and testing process.
- Recommend and incorporate improvements to simulator models, software designs, engineering processes, test methodologies, and technical documentation.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation associated with models, software, testing, analysis, configuration, and system performance.
- Support simulator qualification, acceptance testing, customer evaluations, and other verification and validation activities, as applicable.
- Work with project teams and engineers of varying disciplines to successfully deliver new or modified simulator capabilities within established technical, schedule, and contractual requirements.
- At the Mid and Senior levels, provide technical guidance, mentoring, and knowledge transfer to less experienced engineers.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIESThis position has no formal supervisory responsibilities. Mid- and Senior-level employees may provide technical guidance, mentoring, and knowledge transfer to less experienced engineers.
Requirements
LEVEL EXPECTATIONSEntry Level - 0 to 3 Years- Apply foundational knowledge of aerodynamics, aircraft dynamics, stability and control, propulsion, and related engineering principles to flight simulation applications.
- Develop, modify, test, and troubleshoot simulation models and software under appropriate technical guidance.
- Analyze engineering data and simulation results to identify discrepancies and support model development and validation.
- Participate in software development, integration, testing, and technical documentation activities.
- Develop technical knowledge of simulator architecture, aircraft systems, fidelity requirements, and ASI engineering processes.
Academic projects, internships, research, laboratory experience, and other relevant technical experience may be considered when evaluating Entry-level candidates.
Mid-Level - 3 to 7 Years- Independently develop, modify, integrate, and validate flight dynamics models and associated simulation software.
- Analyze complex aircraft performance and simulation data to identify and resolve model or system discrepancies.
- Develop and execute fidelity testing and evaluate results against established requirements.
- Troubleshoot complex software, modeling, integration, and simulator performance issues.
- Support technical reviews, integration activities, customer testing, and simulator qualification or acceptance activities.
- Provide technical guidance and knowledge transfer to less experienced engineers.
Senior Level - 7+ Years- Lead complex flight dynamics modeling, integration, verification, and validation efforts.
- Provide technical direction for the development, modification, and validation of aircraft models and associated simulation software.
- Analyze and resolve complex aircraft performance, fidelity, integration, and simulator system issues.
- Evaluate technical approaches and recommend improvements to models, software architecture, testing methodologies, and engineering processes.
- Serve as a technical resource during design reviews, customer evaluations, simulator qualification, acceptance testing, and other major program activities.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineers and support the development of organizational flight simulation expertise.
- Support technical planning, risk identification, estimation, and execution of flight dynamics activities across assigned projects.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge and experience should be commensurate with the level of the position.
- Knowledge of aerodynamics, aircraft dynamics, aircraft performance, stability and control, propulsion, and other aeronautical principles applicable to flight simulation.
- Knowledge of mathematical and physics-based modeling of aircraft behavior.
- Knowledge of software design, development, debugging, and testing principles as applied to real-time flight simulation.
- Academic or professional experience with C and/or C++.
- Academic or professional experience developing or executing software in Linux and/or Windows environments.
- Ability to analyze engineering data, simulation results, and technical documentation to support model development and validation.
- Understanding of software configuration management and experience with a version control system such as Git or SVN.
- Understanding of hardware/software interfaces and large-scale or integrated software systems.
- Ability to troubleshoot technical issues involving software, mathematical models, system interfaces, and simulator behavior.
- Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering and project teams.
- Ability to communicate technical information effectively to audiences with varying levels of technical knowledge.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and assignments while meeting project schedules and technical requirements.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a project-oriented, fast-paced engineering environment.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.
- Proficiency with common business software, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS- Experience developing, modifying, or validating flight dynamics or other physics-based simulation models.
- Experience with six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) equations of motion, aircraft stability and control, aerodynamic coefficients and derivatives, aircraft performance, propulsion modeling, atmospheric modeling, or flight control systems.
- Experience analyzing flight test data, aircraft performance data, engineering data, or other aircraft source data.
- Experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) or wind tunnel software tools.
- Experience developing or executing Automatic Fidelity Tests (AFTs) or similar simulator verification and validation testing.
- Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or similar engineering analysis and modeling tools.
- Experience with Ada or other programming languages used in real-time or simulation environments.
- Knowledge of flight simulator fidelity, verification, validation, qualification, or acceptance processes.
- Experience with control loading, motion systems, or other flight simulator hardware/software interfaces.
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or SysML experience.
- Experience working with military aircraft, Department of Defense programs, or flight simulation and training systems.
- Pilot certificate, flight experience, or other practical aviation experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES- Strong understanding of aeronautical principles and how they apply to flight simulation.
- Ability to design, code, and test software pertaining to flight simulation.
- Ability to develop and modify physics-based models of aircraft behavior.
- Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external customers.
- Ability to adapt communication style and messaging to different audiences.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously, ensuring stakeholder expectations are managed appropriately.
- Ability to work in a project-oriented, fast paced environment to meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team environment, or independently, as necessary, and be a self-starter who will attack designs and resolve problems effectively and efficiently.
- Ability to work with project teams to successfully deliver new or modified functionalities.
- Understanding of configuration management systems, hardware interfaces and large-scale software development.
- Keen attention to detail to deliver solutions that meet business requirements and are operationally supportable.
- MBSE experience preferred.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS- Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline with relevant coursework or experience in aerodynamics, flight dynamics, aircraft performance, controls, or flight simulation required.
- Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline preferred.
- Additional education or coursework in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Controls, or a related technical field preferred.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS- U.S. Citizenship Required: As a federal contractor supporting the U.S. warfighter, it is required that all employees in this role be United States citizens in compliance with government contract and security requirements.
- Background Check: Must be able to successfully pass an initial background screening.
- Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain an active Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance. The selected candidate will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information, as required by the position.
- Work Schedule Flexibility: Occasional overtime and alternate shifts may be required to meet customer schedules, critical deadlines, or program milestones.
- Travel Requirements: Must be able and willing to travel domestically and, on occasion, internationally to customer sites, partner locations, or project meetings in support of contract objectives.
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