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).