Flight Dynamics Simulation Engineer

DEPARTMENT: Engineering

REPORTING TO: Chief Engineer via the assigned team lead

Founded in 1955, Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) is a research and development business specializing in design, fabrication and flight testing of experimental rotorcraft and unmanned air vehicles. Piasecki has developed and flown more than 25 different advanced VTOL and UAV aircraft and continues to develop cutting-edge vertical flight technologies.

SUMMARY:

The Piasecki Aircraft Corporation Flight Dynamics Simulation Engineer is responsible for the full life-cycle software development of real-time and non-real-time simulations for the design and development of air vehicle systems. This includes creating physics-based modeling equations, implementing algorithms for free flight dynamics models, and integrating engineering models for aircraft design and pilot training. The role also involves supporting system integration, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and flight test support.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Update and Integration of engineering flight dynamics models
• Software development includes implementation of physics-based algorithms for free flight dynamics models and development of graphical user interfaces and software tools in support of simulation analysis and design
• Develop, improve and maintain the FlightLab dynamic flight model, incorporating aerodynamics tables, flight control actuation models, structural elastic effects and working with fly-by-wire control laws to adequately model the aircraft
• Responsibilities extend beyond software simulation to hardware-in-the-loop testing, piloted simulation and flight test support
• Develop, improve and maintain 6-degree of freedom aircraft flight simulation tools
• Incorporate and update model data from the design team including aerodynamics databases, propulsion models, structural modes, control effectors, actuation models and system identification data,
• Support development of aircraft guidance, navigation and control systems
• Conduct, analyze and document results of aircraft simulation studies in support of control law development, autonomous evaluations and handling qualities assessments
• Contribute to piloted engineering simulator development, improvements and operation
• Support human-machine interface studies, including normal and abnormal operations and various system failure scenarios
• Support flight testing of remotely-piloted, SVO and piloted vehicles including test planning, troubleshooting, post-processing and analysis of flying and handling qualities test data

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Proficiency in developing mathematical models of flight dynamic systems.
• Strong programming skills, particularly in FLIGHTLAB, C/C++ and MATLAB/Simulink.
• Experience with aircraft stability, control, and handling qualities.
• Familiarity with UNIX/Linux and Windows operating systems.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS / CLEARANCES:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a closely related field; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in flight dynamics and simulation within the aerospace industry.
• Experience with FAA civil aircraft certification under Parts 23, 25, 27, or 29 is a plus.