Director - Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel

Campus/College Information:

Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world. Background Checks Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment. Vaccine Protocol Position Summary/Purpose of Position: The Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park (, is seeking a Wind Tunnel Director of the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel (GLMWT). This is a non-tenure, professional track (PTK) position.

Candidates with outstanding accomplishments, experience, creativity, and leadership are sought to direct testing in the GLMWT. The wind tunnel is a low-speed facility with a 7.75×11 foot test section. It has been a mainstay of experimental research in the aerospace engineering department since 1949, and has conducted over 2,300 tests on a wide range of models. A distinguishing feature of the GLMWT has been the range of designs tested, including rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft, ship hulls and sails, birds, UAVs, antenna towers, athletes, wing suits, automobiles, and seaplanes. The new Wind Tunnel Director will be expected to direct the testing, ensure data quality, interface with customers including academic, industry, small business, and government organizations. The Director will be tasked with rapidly increasing the operation of and testing in the wind tunnel, and managing the operations, staff, and test schedule to advance toward a self-sustaining operation.

Direct experience in design, operation, and data collection in an academic, government or commercial wind tunnel of comparable size and speed range of the GLMWT is highly desired. In addition, familiarity or prior test experience with modern diagnostic systems, such as Particle Image Velocimetry and Pressure Sensitive Paint, are highly desired. Experience with routine calibration and maintenance of wind tunnels, power systems and instrumentation are highly desired.The Wind Tunnel Director will be expected to participate in educational activities of the department, including teaching undergraduate classes, supporting student capstone design and extramural design efforts, and supporting testing needs of graduate students in the department.The Wind Tunnel Director will be responsible for overseeing staff, developing new customers, developing new capabilities in the wind tunnel, maintaining safe operations of mechanical and electrical systems in the facility, and maintaining secure operations including certification of the facility for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and handling of proprietary data and models.

Candidates should have a strong track record in the operation of wind tunnels similar to the GLMWT. In addition, research on wind tunnel testing topics, novel data acquisition approaches, novel design approaches to wind tunnel circuits, participation in wind tunnel testing professional societies, and publications relating to wind tunnel testing methodologies are desired.

In addition to the operation of the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel (, the Wind Tunnel Director is expected to be involved with the development of a new wind tunnel of comparable size and speed, and will participate in overseeing the development of requirements, design, and instrumentation for the new facility.
The Department of Aerospace Engineering believes in inclusive excellence. We aim to support and increase diversity in multiple forms, including but not limited to, identity, culture, background, ability, and opinions. Minimum Qualifications: Education:
Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering or a closely-related field by the start date of employment. Preferences: Preferences: An effective communicator with an ability and interest in working with diverse student populations having a variety of backgrounds, learning styles, and skill levels. For the non-tenure professional track position, a record of research relevant to wind tunnel design and operations, and operational experience in wind tunnels. Business experience in operation of a commercial wind tunnel, and the ability to develop a strategy for self-sustained operations. An archival journal publication record commensurate with the candidate’s career stage. Experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and the ability to contribute to the climate of inclusivity is strongly preferred. Candidates who have a record of commitment to working with students from underrepresented groups through teaching, mentoring, or administration are encouraged to describe their experiences in these areas. Additional Certifications: Additional Information: The A. James Clark’s Department of Aerospace Engineering consistently ranks in the top 15 aerospace engineering programs in the country by US News, in both graduate and undergraduate programs, and it offers a collegial, supportive environment in which faculty can thrive.
The Department of Aerospace Engineering is ranked in the top ten among undergraduate aerospace programs and was ranked 12th among graduate aerospace programs.

The Department is home to an internationally recognized multi-disciplinary research center, the Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center, and unique facilities, such as the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility, the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel, and the University of Maryland Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site. Department faculty are also active in The Maryland Robotics Center (MRC) and the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (MEII). The innovation and entrepreneurship programs on campus recently brought the University to the top 10 in Entrepreneurship Magazine.

The University is located close to NASA, DARPA, ONR, AFOSR, and several other funding agencies. The Department has strong research ties with government research labs, such as NAVAIR, NSWC, NASA Goddard, NRL, ARL/APG, as well as corporations, and start-ups. The Washington DC area has three major airports and a vibrant culture, is reachable by metro, and has primary and secondary schools that are among the best in the nation.

The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff who will enhance our stature of preeminence in the three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and the world.

Some notable facts include: Received the 8th largest gift in history to a public higher education institution from A. James & Alice B Clark Foundation of $220M. This includes funding to assist faculty and attract and fund first year PhD students. Aerospace faculty work with over a dozen competitive teams and student societies that are nationally ranked in competitions such as 1st in Vertical Flight Society Helicopter Student Design competition, as well as NASA Rascal, AIAA Design Build and Fly, AUVSI SUAS, SAMPE Composite Bridge and other competitions. 4 NAE members affiliated with Aerospace Engineering. The Clark School has a dedicated external relations staff to help promote faculty research, which has been featured on covers of Science magazine, ABC, Washington Post, New York Times, and CNN. Opened Clark Hall in January 2018 with almost 40,000 sq ft of lab space and an innovation lab for capstone design projects and student teams. The campus is located close to the College Park Airport, which is the world’s oldest continuously operating airport, and offers a full array of general aviation options.The Great College Park initiative is a $1B public-private investment in the town that is the home of UMD. It is creating not only a dynamic and innovative academic environment, but also a vibrant downtown community with restaurants, new residential units, live music and amenities.

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