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Performance and Load Case Engineer

sofia, Sofia, BulgariaR&D

Job description

Our Company

Our mission at DRONAMICS is to democratize airfreight and lower the cost of shipping in emerging markets. To achieve this, we are developing a new type of cargo airplane, one that is small, unmanned and extremely fuel efficient. It can transport 350 KG over 2,500 KM for a cost that's at least 50% lower than other airplanes. It flies autonomously, can be monitored and managed remotely via satellite, and the whole system costs less than a sports car. This is the kind of technology that can transform whole economies.


At first, it didn't sound possible, but we keep proving it is, which is why we've called it “The Black Swan”. It can land on short and unpaved runways, enabling on-demand point-to-point flights and speedy same-day delivery even to the most remote locations that would otherwise take days to reach over ground or sea.


We are are starting with domestic air networks in Europe, Australia and UK and beyond with fleets of the Black Swan, taking advantage of the multitude of small airfields that are often unused, training local personnel as drone and logistics operators, and partnering with local industry to provide a valuable lifeline of getting goods in and out of small, remote, mountainous and/or island communities within hours at a cost that is often below even that of road transportation.


We believe that same-day shipping should be a human right, and our goal is to enable same-day deliveries for every single person on the planet at a cost that everyone everywhere can afford.


The Role

Working as part of the Aero, Performance and Loadcase Team within the R&D group, the Performance and Loadcase Engineer will report to the Aero, Performance and Simulation Team Lead and be responsible for:

  • Developing and using physics-based computer tools to analyse aircraft performance for phases of flight including takeoff, climb, subsonic cruise, descent, approach, landing, and overall mission performance.

  • Create new software tools for generating and summarizing performance data for the current and future aircraft models.

  • Analysing flight test and wind tunnel data to support the development of the aircraft performance database.

  • Prepare performance data for airplane flight manuals, operations manuals, avionics software, and certification compliance reports.

  • Support coordination with aviation authorities (FAA, EASA, others) regarding compliance with performance regulations.

  • During Conceptual Design Phase supports aircraft power-plant selection in order to meet regulatory and business performance requirements. Predict and create load cases for a 6-DOF global FEM model using CFD

  • Predict and create load cases for a 6-DOF global FEM model using Wind Tunnel Testing

  • Predict and create load cases for all flight phases

  • Predict and create critical load cases based on V-N Diagrams and CS-23 Standard

  • Predict and create load cases for the entire life-cycle of the aircraft (corrosion, fatigue etc.)

  • Create design requirements for structure development

  • Select critical load cases for given components and interfaces

  • Define envelopes for mechanical and thermal environments

  • Create and maintain a database and relevant documentation for determined load cases and envelopes in accordance with certification criteria (Ease Part 21, CS-23, CFR Part 25)

  • Implement automated load case determination tools in a 6-DOF in-house flight simulation tools. 

What We Offer

  • A competitive compensation package for a Series A company

  • Lots of opportunities for personal and professional growth on a global level

  • Tons of work, zero office politics - we are here to impact the lives of millions of people around the world

  • A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to frame the future of how the world moves goods

Job requirements

  • MSc in Aerospace Engineering or similar

  • Demonstratable understanding of fixed wing aerodynamics, propulsion, and performance

  • Solid understanding of airplane flight characteristics, first-principles analyses, and performance methods

  • Experience with MATLAB/Simulink or Python/C++ scripting andFEM/CFD analysis in ANSYS or similar

  • Experience using version control software

  • Experience with General Aviation airplane certification projects (CS-23)

  • Highly organized and proactive with great attention to detail

Structured and well-organized way of working Specifically the following internal training courses should be completed

  • EASA Part 21 Basics

  • Design Organisation Handbook

  • Introduction to EASA Part 21

  • Relevant CS training (TBD)

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