Propulsion Engineer

The 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 R&D team, and reporting to the Head of Design, the Propulsion Engineer will be responsible for all aspects of the Flight Test and Operational Black Swan aircraft Propulsion System including:

• Integration of all components of the propulsion systems on the Black Swan – including propeller, engine, engine frame controller, fuel, lubrication and cooling systems and all other ancillaries required to provide a fully operating propulsion system.

  • Working with airframe/structures team to develop practical and robust structural solutions

  • Working with systems team to develop practical and easily maintainable fuel, cooling and lubrication systems

  • Working with avionics team to enable easy integrations

• Development, provision and maintenance of the Propulsion system BOM

  • To ensure continued availability of all components and spares

• Development of concepts for a fully integrated and independent/stand alone propulsion system that can be treated as a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) on production aircraft

• Definition and completion of propulsion test programs

  • To ensure compliance with the nominated certification standard

  • Provision of formal documentation suitable for provision to a regulatory authority

• Support, as required, of all flight test programs

  • Provision of support to flightline as required

  • Technical support

  • On site assistance as required

• Development and implementation of maintenance programs

  • Liaise with flight test team and operations team to implement a practical strategy for operational maintenance

  • Liaise with the engine supplier to ensure the proposed strategies comply with the terms of the lease

  • Monitoring of in service issues and provision of resolutions

  • Provision of formal documentation suitable for provision to a regulatory authority

• Review of alternative hydrocarbon fuel based propulsion systems

• Propulsion system requirements definition

• Assessment of performance characteristics

• Assessment of cost and weight implications

• development

• Review and improvement of current Propeller design

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

• Relevant engineering degree

• Proven record of practical aerospace engineering experience

• Proven experience in propulsion system engineering

• Min 5 years relevant experience