What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Aerodynamics Engineer position at WindWright?
NOTE: WindWright positions are contingent on contract award expected February 2025
WindWright, a subsidiary of Stratolaunch, accelerates hypersonic development by improving the capacity and capabilities of ground test facilities using digital engineering environments. Our advanced modeling and simulation, synthesized with ground and flight test data, are integrated into authoritative digital models that advance ground test productivity, accuracy, and repeatability improvements across the full customer development campaign. WindWright’s digital engineering framework also enables efficient test planning, rapid test data review, and deeper analysis of the test results, leading to reduced customer costs and risks.
To achieve these efforts, WindWright seeks a Sr. Aerodynamics Engineer to support digital engineering framework development, CFD simulation, wind tunnel testing, and digital twin validation for multiple hypersonic vehicles and wind tunnel components. Candidates must have a strong hypersonic aerothermodynamics background. Experience with aerospace vehicle development, propulsion development, wind tunnel testing, or wind tunnel facility design in the hypersonic regime is required.
In this role, you will lead a small hypersonic ground test aerodynamics and software team that is developing and using a digital engineering framework with the objective of improving ground test capabilities and advancing ground-to-flight similitude. Your tasking may include wind tunnel testing, CFD simulation, wind tunnel facility operation and modification trade studies, digital engineering framework development, digital twin training, and model VV&A.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Required
Travel estimated to be approximatelyPosition is based in Sandusky, Ohio
Benefits and our location:
For adventure seekers, Sandusky is home to the world-famous Cedar Point Amusement Park, known for its record-breaking roller coasters and thrilling attractions. Lake Erie offers abundant opportunities for boating, fishing, and waterfront fun, with nearby islands like Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay perfect for day trips. Nature lovers can explore local parks and the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located just a couple of hours away.
Not big on the outdoors? You’re within a short drive of Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit, cities filled with live entertainment, museums, professional sports teams, and cultural sights like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The area is also rich in history, with Sandusky playing a key role in the Underground Railroad, and the nearby Marblehead Lighthouse offering a glimpse into Ohio’s maritime past.
For food enthusiasts, Sandusky and the surrounding region offer a variety of culinary delights, from local seafood fresh from Lake Erie to renowned ice cream at Toft’s Dairy. Wine lovers will enjoy exploring the Lake Erie Wine Trail, while craft beer fans can sample locally brewed options at Sandusky’s growing number of breweries.
Applicants must be a US Person to be considered for this role-
To be considered for this position, applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined in 22 C.F.R. 120.67, which includes (a) U.S. citizens; (b) U.S. nationals; (c) U.S. lawful permanent residents; (d) persons granted refugee status; and (e) persons granted asylum.
WindWright is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees’ and applicants’ time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.
Equal Employment Opportunity Is The Law
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
WindWright, a subsidiary of Stratolaunch, accelerates hypersonic development by improving the capacity and capabilities of ground test facilities using digital engineering environments. Our advanced modeling and simulation, synthesized with ground and flight test data, are integrated into authoritative digital models that advance ground test productivity, accuracy, and repeatability improvements across the full customer development campaign. WindWright’s digital engineering framework also enables efficient test planning, rapid test data review, and deeper analysis of the test results, leading to reduced customer costs and risks.
To achieve these efforts, WindWright seeks a Sr. Aerodynamics Engineer to support digital engineering framework development, CFD simulation, wind tunnel testing, and digital twin validation for multiple hypersonic vehicles and wind tunnel components. Candidates must have a strong hypersonic aerothermodynamics background. Experience with aerospace vehicle development, propulsion development, wind tunnel testing, or wind tunnel facility design in the hypersonic regime is required.
In this role, you will lead a small hypersonic ground test aerodynamics and software team that is developing and using a digital engineering framework with the objective of improving ground test capabilities and advancing ground-to-flight similitude. Your tasking may include wind tunnel testing, CFD simulation, wind tunnel facility operation and modification trade studies, digital engineering framework development, digital twin training, and model VV&A.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Define, document, communicate, and implement the vision for digital engineering at WindWright
- Manage digital twin development for test facilities, systems, instrumentation, and articles
- Guide the team in developing modular tools to streamline digital twin training, validation, and use
- Oversee modeling and simulation to support digital twins, including CFD, heat transfer, and FEA
- Collaborate with stakeholders to identify digital framework interface requirements
- Lead design studies to improve performance, operability, and maintainability of wind tunnels
- Provide operations team with validated digital twins to support training and test planning
- Develop, maintain, and apply standard practices for digital engineering activities
- Set technical approach and scope for digital engineering activities, balancing requirements, stakeholder inputs, and feasibility
- Apply Agile methodology where appropriate to rapidly deliver viable software, data, and results
- Manage subcontractor teams supporting digital engineering efforts
- Analyze wind tunnel and flight test data, as required
- Drive consistent, clear documentation for digital engineering framework
- Document inputs, assumptions, and limitations
- Support the preparation of business proposals to the US Government and industry
- Travel, as needed, to support the company
- Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Required
- Knowledge of, and experience with aerodynamics, CFD, and wind tunnel testing
- Experience with numerical methods related to surface fitting, reduced order modeling, optimization, or design of experiments
- Experience with subsonic, transonic, and hypersonic theory and analysis
- Experience with hypersonic vehicles, engines, and/or ground test facilities
- Ability to work on their own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
- Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
- Ability to obtain a security clearance at the TS/SCI level
- Experience with hypersonic aerothermal and/or propulsion design
- Experience with hypersonic ground test facility design or modification
- Experience with multi-species chemically reacting flows
- Active TS/SCI security clearance
- Proficiency with CFD analysis tools
- Experience with computer-aided design (CAD) software tools
- Scripting languages (Python, Matlab, or similar)
- MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Proficiency with US3D, Kestrel, Link3D, Pointwise, and TecPlot360/Chorus
- Experience with HPC cluster administration
- Experience with software version control tools (i.e. Git/SVN)
- Master’s degree (MS/ME) in engineering, physics, or mathematics from an accredited institution and 10-plus years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
Travel estimated to be approximately
- Relocation eligible to local area – Sandusky, OH
- 9/80 schedule
- Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs)
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
- 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan up to the IRS annual limit
- Tuition reimbursement
For adventure seekers, Sandusky is home to the world-famous Cedar Point Amusement Park, known for its record-breaking roller coasters and thrilling attractions. Lake Erie offers abundant opportunities for boating, fishing, and waterfront fun, with nearby islands like Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay perfect for day trips. Nature lovers can explore local parks and the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located just a couple of hours away.
Not big on the outdoors? You’re within a short drive of Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit, cities filled with live entertainment, museums, professional sports teams, and cultural sights like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The area is also rich in history, with Sandusky playing a key role in the Underground Railroad, and the nearby Marblehead Lighthouse offering a glimpse into Ohio’s maritime past.
For food enthusiasts, Sandusky and the surrounding region offer a variety of culinary delights, from local seafood fresh from Lake Erie to renowned ice cream at Toft’s Dairy. Wine lovers will enjoy exploring the Lake Erie Wine Trail, while craft beer fans can sample locally brewed options at Sandusky’s growing number of breweries.
Applicants must be a US Person to be considered for this role-
To be considered for this position, applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined in 22 C.F.R. 120.67, which includes (a) U.S. citizens; (b) U.S. nationals; (c) U.S. lawful permanent residents; (d) persons granted refugee status; and (e) persons granted asylum.
WindWright is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees’ and applicants’ time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.
Equal Employment Opportunity Is The Law
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
