Performance & Propulsion Engineer

Our Company

Our mission at Dronamics is to develop innovative solutions for same-day middle-mile logistics and serve the world as the leading cargo drone airline.

We design, build and operate long-range, high payload cargo drones that can carry up to 350 kg (550 lbs) at a distance of up to 2,500 km (1,500 mi) - up to 80% faster, 50% cheaper and with 60% less co2 emissions vs traditional freight.

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.

With the successful first flight of our full-scale Black Swan cargo drone, we have achieved a significant
milestone. Now our focus is on scaling up and establishing operations in the first markets in Europe and beyond

The Role:

Working as part of the DOA R&D team and reporting to the Aerodynamics, Performance and

Simulation Engineering Manager, the Performance and Propulsion Engineer is responsible for the

following:

Responsibilities:

● Integrating all components of the propulsion system of the aircraft - propeller, engine,

engine control, cooling and all other ancillaries (collaborating with DO teams)

● Development of concepts for a fully integrated independent/stand-alone propulsion

system that can be treated as a line replaceable unit (LRU) on production aircraft

● Ensuring compliance of the propulsion system to the nominated certification standard

● Review of alternative hydrocarbon fuel-based propulsion systems

● Reviewing and improving the in-house MATLAB aircraft performance models

● Maintaining and improving the in-house Simulink propulsion system models

● Writing technical documentation

● Reviewing existing technical documentation/methodologies

● Flight test support at the test site (if required)

What we offer

• A competitive compensation package for a start up 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

Requirements:

● Good working level in MATLAB and Simulink

● Good understanding of aircraft performance

1. Power required/power available

2. Estimation of best range, best endurance, best rate of climb, best angle of climb,

maximum rate of descend speeds

3. Estimation of turning flight performance

4. Estimation of fuel burn

5. Estimation of takeoff/landing performance

6. Post-flight test data analysis

● Good understanding of the working principles of different propulsion systems, especially

internal combustion engines and fixed-pitch/constant-speed propellers

1. assessment of performance characteristics

2. Engine maps/ propeller maps

● Flight test support

1. Support existing flight tests (full and subscale aircraft) as part of the standard

activities of the Aerodynamics Performance & Simulation team

● Good technical documentation writing skills

● Good presentation skills

Nice to have skills:

● Prior hands-on experience with internal combustion engines and integration into

airframes is a plus

● Prior experience/knowledge of the Rotax internal combustion engines is a plus

● Good working knowledge of the GIT version control system is a plus (training can be

provided)

● Prior experience with performance analysis of fixed-wing UAV platforms is a plus

Qualifications:

MSc/MEng or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related field with at least 3 years industry

experience (Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering field with emphasis on propulsion systems

is preferred).