Performance & Propulsion Engineer

Performance & Propulsion Engineer

DRONAMICS

Sofia, Bulgaria

Responsibilities:

Working as part of the DOA R&D team and reporting to the Aerodynamics, Performance and Simulation Engineering Manager, the Performance and Propulsion Engineer is responsible for the following:

• Integrating all components of the propulsion system of the aircraft - propeller, engine, engine control, cooling and all other ancillaries (collaborating with DO teams);
• Development of concepts for a fully integrated independent/stand-alone propulsion system that can be treated as a line replaceable unit (LRU) on production aircraft;
• Ensuring compliance of the propulsion system to the nominated certification standard;
• Review of alternative hydrocarbon fuel-based propulsion systems;
• Reviewing and improving the in-house MATLAB aircraft performance models;
• Maintaining and improving the in-house Simulink propulsion system models;
• Writing technical documentation;
• Reviewing existing technical documentation/methodologies;
• Flight test support at the test site (if required).

Requirements:

• Good working level in MATLAB and Simulink;
• Good understanding of aircraft performance:
  • Power required/power available;
  • Estimation of best range, best endurance, best rate of climb, best angle of climb, maximum rate of descend speeds;
  • Estimation of turning flight performance;
  • Estimation of fuel burn;
  • Estimation of takeoff/landing performance;
  • Post-flight test data analysis.
• Good understanding of the working principles of different propulsion systems, especially internal combustion engines and fixed-pitch/constant-speed propellers:
  • Assessment of performance characteristics;
  • Engine maps/propeller maps.
• Flight test support;
• Support existing flight tests (full and subscale aircraft) as part of the standard activities of the Aerodynamics Performance & Simulation team;
• Good technical documentation writing skills;
• Good presentation skills.

Nice to have skills:

• Prior hands-on experience with internal combustion engines and integration into airframes is a plus.
• Prior experience/knowledge of the Rotax internal combustion engines is a plus.
• Good working knowledge of the GIT version control system is a plus (training can be provided).
• Prior experience with performance analysis of fixed-wing UAV platforms is a plus.

Qualifications:

• MSc/MEng or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related field with at least 3 years industry experience (Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering field with emphasis on propulsion systems is preferred).