Job Summary General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.

We have an exciting opportunity in San Diego, CA (Poway, CA) for an Aircraft Aero Performance and OpenMDAO Engineer to contribute to the analysis and optimization of subsonic and transonic air vehicles, especially as it relates to the prediction of aerodynamics and aircraft performance. This engineer will be involved in the creation of aerodynamic databases derived from handbook methods, inviscid tools, wind tunnel, CFD, and flight testing. Most notably, this engineer will apply their expertise in gradient-based optimization and aircraft design frameworks such as OpenMDAO. This position is within the Flight Technologies department in San Diego, CA. Responsibilities include the execution and documentation of analyses and tests related to aerodynamics, CFD (computational fluid dynamics), and aircraft performance, aircraft sizing, tool development, the estimation of budgets and schedules, and interfacing with internal and external customers as necessary to present results and ensure work is completed appropriately.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsibilities will include aerodynamic database development, aircraft performance analysis, mathematical modeling, aerodynamic predictions, simulation development and support, flight data analysis, and documentation.
• Plan, manage, and execute aerodynamic analyses using tools that range from handbook methods via inviscid tools all the way to Navier-Stokes CFD and associated meshing tools.
• Develop and maintain in-house analysis and design/sizing tools, perform mathematical modeling, and provide aerodynamic design support for new aircraft and modifications to existing aircraft.
• Support various tests including wind tunnel tests and flight tests, including reducing and analyzing the data after the test and documenting the results.
• Generate reports, specifications, memos, performance charts for flight manuals, and sketches of the obtained aerodynamic and performance results and present them verbally in meetings and phone conferences to all level employees and customers.
• Occasional travel to wind tunnels, flight test sites, customer sites, and conferences.

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 or masters degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and two or more years of engineering experience with a bachelors degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Requires strong technical knowledge of external aerodynamics of aircraft at subsonic and transonic speeds, including natural laminar flow (NLF).
• Requires strong knowledge of aircraft performance, aircraft sizing, and aircraft stability.
• Requires familiarity with aerodynamic analysis tools that include inviscid tools, 2D airfoil codes (such as XFoil and MSES), and full Navier-Stokes CFD solvers and meshers.
• Requires thorough understanding of gradient-based optimization methods.
• Requires extensive experience in the use and customization of gradient-based optimization. frameworks such as OpenMDAO, ideally aimed at optimizing fixed-wing aircraft.
• Requires extensive experience in the use of adjoint-capable, inviscid methods (such as VLM, VPM, or panel methods) that are integrated into an adjoint-based design framework.
• Requires some experience with adjoint-capable CFD solvers that can be executed within the adjoint-based design framework.
• Beneficial if the candidate has experience with creating reduced-order models (ROMs) and the application of UQ (uncertainty quantification) within the adjoint-based design framework.
• Must have a sincere interest in airplanes.
• Requires solid programming knowledge (C, C++, Fortran, preferably Matlab and Python).
• Must have an understanding of engineering concepts, principles, and theory and experience demonstrating the application of those concepts.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment.
• Requires a strong and respectful communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work both independently and on a team.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance is required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Track record of repaired geometries, completed meshes and analyses using Navier-Stokes CFD solvers and meshers (preferably Fluent, CCM+ and ANSA).
• Prior experience with aircraft flight testing and knowledge of flight dynamics, flight data analysis and interpretation, and development of data analysis tools.
• Desirable: Pilot’s license.

Salary:$68,770 - $116,193