Senior Aerospace Engineer - Aircraft Cost and Estimation Analysis

Job Description:

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc., (AMA) is seeking a multi-disciplinary aerospace engineer who will continue the development and advancement of a Python-based utility for estimating life-cycle costs of current and advanced technology subsonic aircraft concepts. The developed tool will be integrated with an in-house Model Based Systems Analysis & Engineering (MBSA&E) framework for use with the Aviary aircraft design and analysis tool leveraging OpenMDAO.

This role will be linked with NASA's Aeronautics Systems Analysis Branch in the Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate. This group seeks to understand and assess, the net effects of new sub-systems, advanced technology applications, or novel configuration layouts on studied aircraft concepts, using various computational tools that capture complex and cascading multi-disciplinary design interactions. The researchers also evaluate design benefits and penalties by comparing the relative merits of baseline and modified concepts for performance, size, weight, operational factors, costs, acoustics, fuel burn, emissions, and other items of interest.

There is a strong emphasis on Python coding and MDAO in this role. The candidate will be joining an experienced aeronautics team who all bring individual blends of discipline-specific expertise in aerodynamics, structures, flight dynamics, mathematics, propulsion, code development, and computational fluid dynamics.

Responsibilities:

• Support continued development of the Python-based tool for aircraft life-cycle cost estimation, Improving the accuracy through increased fidelity and adding new capabilities, and integrating the tool with new and existing analysis frameworks.
• Interface with the Aviary and MBSA&E development teams to ensure integration of cost estimation tool with the analysis tools framework.
• Collaborate with the aircraft analysis team to complete concept specific cost estimation analyses and improve cost tool usability.
• Develop models and code for estimating the costs of envisioned concept aircraft, by identifying and defining functional dependencies on characteristics such as the design specifications, configuration layouts, and concepts of operations.
• Utilize variable fidelity tools as appropriate, to properly formulate, incorporate and analyze model parameter corrections, simplifications, and design assumptions for envisioned concept aircraft.
• Report progress and document code as required, and in the specified repositories, together with plenary documentation.

Required Experience:                                                                                                 

• B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering (preferred), or related Technical Discipline
• 5 years’ relevant experience in aeronautical engineering that imparts a level of expertise sufficient for creating, modifying, and executing multi-disciplinary design and analysis models.
• Demonstrated experience with costing analysis.
• Experience in Python code development.
• Big-picture outlook for grasping integrated influences of aerodynamics, structures, weights, stability and control, costs, and propulsion on studied aircraft concepts.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office products, especially Microsoft Teams.
• Positive, curious, and able to work independently and in small teams.

Desired Experience

• Experience with analysis tools and design frameworks such as FLOPS/Aviary (performance, sizing); OpenVSP3 and ESP (geometry); ModelCenter and OpenMDAO (integration, optimization).
• Experience utilizing version control systems (Git)
• Familiarity with any other coding/scripting languages (MATLAB, VBScript, JavaScript)
• Knowledge and experience of aircraft design, aircraft system design, aircraft manufacturing, aircraft operations or piloting experience would be beneficial.

Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com/careers and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.