Rotorcraft Design and Assessment Subject Matter Expert (Remote, TOC)

About CFD Research: Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001:AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc5000 as a top growing company for four of the last five years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com

CFD Research Corporation is seeking multidisciplinary design experts in rotary-wing and advanced air vehicle design to support the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Center’s (AvMC)  Technology Development Directorate (TDD).  The engineer will apply existing computational tools, develop new computational methods, and build models in specialized areas such as cost, propulsion, and parametric design to support rotorcraft conceptual, preliminary, and detailed component design activities.

Job Description:

This position will support the Conceptual Design and Assessment (CD&A) branch with a focus on guiding and integrating multidisciplinary design efforts to accomplish trades studies that inform requirements development.  The position will help formulate strategies supporting long-term planning, new project initiation, and engagement with emerging customers.  In addition, this role will perform assessment of air vehicle performance, weight, cost, and operational assessment.  The position will support the development and evaluation of new aircraft concepts against user requirements, assess ongoing aircraft development programs, and provide technical expertise to TDD for future air vehicle concepts and exploratory design initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Represent CD&A as an aircraft design subject matter expert (SME) at meetings, industry forums, program reviews, technology demonstrations, and operational tests.
• Advise leadership on strategic planning activities, identifying paths for future concept exploration, tool development, and application to new, manned and unmanned air vehicle systems.
• Utilize government-standard tools, such as NASA Design and Analysis of Rotorcraft (NDARC), for detailed aircraft modeling and performance assessment.
• Perform trade studies working with TDD customers and stakeholders to explore requirements trade space and provide guidance on impacts of aircraft designs as related to operational requirements.
• Guide the formulation of trade studies working with TDD customers and stakeholders.
• Support CD&A long-term planning activities, providing expert opinions on tool development, review of long-range project plans, and strategic direction.
• Mentor new hires and other engineers, foster growth in aircraft design principles, analytical methods, and engineering best practices.

Basic Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience performing conceptual design of rotorcraft manned/unmanned systems, estimating aircraft performance, weights, and cost.
• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Direct experience developing aircraft designs and estimating performance using NDARC and AIDEN.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead technical efforts with minimal oversight.
• Direct experience conducting aircraft trade studies to define and explore trade space.
• Experience guiding and developing junior engineers on technical teams.
• Demonstrated experience briefing senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical discussions, reviews, and working groups.
• U.S. Citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of rotor conceptual design process.
• Experience with OpenVSP, OpenMDAO, Creo Parametric, and Python.

Location:  This is a remote, part-time, TOC position with flexible, on-demand hours that vary based on contract needs and candidate availability.

Benefits: CFD Research offers competitive salaries and excellent employee benefits, including an employer matching 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). CFD Research offers our Full-Time, permanent employee-owners a highly competitive insurance package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance. Additionally, we offer company paid leave, compensation time, parental leave, long-term and short-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance. Part-Time and Temporary employee-owners may receive partial or reduced benefits and leave time based on their employment status level. Performance appraisals occur twice a year and annual pay increases are based upon corporate goals, personal development, performance, and outstanding achievements. In addition, group and individual bonuses are awarded for exceptional performance.

CFD Research is an EO employer - Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories