Position: Flight Sciences Engineer
Location: Hybrid ( Byron, CA, 94514)
Duration: Full Time : Permanent
Job Description:
· Own vehicle performance modeling across hover, transition, and cruise: mission analysis, hybrid-electric energy management, climb optimization, and range/endurance trades
· Build and maintain 6-DOF flight dynamics models for a lift+cruise configuration: aero database construction through the transition corridor, rotor-wing interaction modeling, stability derivatives, and trim analysis in hover, transition, and cruise
· Contribute to vehicle design trades: feed flight sciences insight into OML shaping, drag reduction, control surface sizing, and flight controls architecture to close performance and handling qualities requirements
· Derive external flight loads across the operational envelope and collaborate with the structures team to define limit and ultimate load cases, support fatigue analysis, and feed aeroelastic models
· Support flight test planning, instrumentation requirements, and post-flight data reduction and analysis; correlate measured performance against analytical predictions
· Build and improve simulation environments used for envelope expansion, handling qualities assessment, and controls development
· Partner with propulsion and power teams to integrate hybrid-electric powertrain models into mission analysis; define power-required envelopes and binding constraints across the flight profile
· Contribute to certification planning by authoring compliance analyses, performance substantiation reports, and supporting V&V documentation
Our Ideal Candidate:
· B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field
· 5+ years of meaningful hands-on experience in flight sciences, vehicle performance, or flight dynamics
· Proficiency in vehicle performance modeling: energy-based methods, point-mass and full 6-DOF simulation, power-required/available analysis
· Experience building or working with aerodynamic databases and stability derivative sets for flight simulation or loads analysis
· Familiarity with flight test methods: test card development, FTI requirements, data reduction, and prediction-to-flight correlation
· Strong programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB for analysis, post-processing, and tool development
· Solid understanding of fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or hybrid lift+cruise vehicle aeromechanics
· Working proficiency with aerodynamic analysis tools across fidelity levels — from low-order methods (panel codes, blade element, XFOIL) through mid-fidelity (RANS CFD): sufficient to set up runs, interpret results, and interface with dedicated CFD engineers
· Clear technical communication skills: able to distill complex analysis into concise summaries for engineering and program leadership
Bonus Points For:
· Direct experience with eVTOL, tiltrotor, or lift+cruise configurations — including transition corridor analysis, transition schedule definition, and rotor-wing aerodynamic interaction
· Background in hybrid-electric propulsion performance modeling: energy management strategy, battery sizing trades, and BSFC/TSFC integration into mission analysis
· Experience designing internal flows, including ducting, intakes, and cooling flows
· Rotor and/or propeller design experience
· Handling qualities assessment experience using ADS-33 or FAA/EASA equivalents
· Exposure to flight simulation environments: JSBSim, Simulink/FlightGear, or equivalent
· Experience with certification under FAA Part 23, Part 27, or EASA SC-VTOL frameworks
· Background in aeroelastics or structural loads as they relate to flight envelope definition
What We Offer:
· Competitive salary
· Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced aerospace company
· Comprehensive medical benefits
· 401(k) with company contribution + Roth IRA
· Free daily lunch provided onsite
· Flexible time-off policy
· 3 months of paid parental leave
· Employee assistance program with 24/7 support
· High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
· Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
· You’ll work with a motivated, kind, and highly skilled team
Pay: $200,000.00 - $280,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) 2% match
- 401(k) 4% Match
- Health insurance
Work Location: In person
