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 Aerodynamics and Performance Tools Engineer to contribute to the development of analysis tools & methodologies, perform mathematical modeling of aircraft performance, provide flight & wind tunnel test support, and participate in the aerodynamic design of new products. A candidate’s experience should encompass such topics as aircraft design & sizing, aerodynamics, and aircraft performance. Experience with source code modification, version control and algorithm development within MATLAB, Python or other languages is required.
Requires excellent communication skills across the spectrum of verbal, digital and written forms. A successful engineer will be capable of solving complex technical problems both individually and in a team environment. Responsibilities include creation of new tools, upgrades of existing tools and the substitution of aging tools with maintainable replacements. In addition, engineers in the tools and support group are expected to be users of the tools they develop, i.e. use the tools for solving complex inter-disciplinary tasks. This role requires a strong will to learn new processes and improve them while communicating changes and gathering consensus on requirements.
This position is within the Flight Technologies department in Poway, CA. The Flight Technologies department is a technical organization focusing on many aspects of the flight sciences and the Tools & Support group supports all disciplines within Flight Technologies.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Responsibilities include aerodynamic database development, mathematical modeling, aerodynamic predictions, simulation development, flight & wind tunnel test support, data analysis, and documentation.
- Work within a team to scope requirements, implement and execute aero-related design tool development, demonstrate and use tools as part of a product design team. Examples include the design of laminar flow wings and tail sizing.
- Research and implement industry wide best practices for data storage, retrieval, version control and model building.
- Generate reports, specifications, memos, performance charts for flight manuals and design reviews.
- Present results within the engineering organization, to internal program offices, may infrequently present to external customers and professional organizations.
- 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.
- 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; six or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, four or more years of experience with a masters degree, or two or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
- Requires familiarity with aircraft performance, aircraft sizing, and aircraft stability.
- Requires familiarity with aerodynamic analysis tools that include inviscid tools and 2D airfoil codes (such as XFoil and MSES).
- Requires a strong and respectful communicator (written and verbal) with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Must have a sincere interest in aircraft
- Must be proficient with MATLAB, both in general usage as well as coding/scripting, significant experience with other languages may be substituted.
- Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly, apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment, and communicate decisions to other stakeholders.
- Must be able to work both independently and on a team.
- Desirable: technical knowledge of external aerodynamics of aircraft with a primary focus on construction of aerodynamic, engine or other physical models.
- Desirable: Prior experience with object-oriented coding best practices in an agile working environment
- Desirable: Experience with applied statistics, optimization, or non-linear regression
- Desirable: Pilot’s license.
- Desirable: Technical knowledge of external aerodynamics in transonic and/or supersonic speed regimes
- Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Security clearance is required; preferably active.
