Principal Aeronautics Engineer at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About The Job

The CSIR has vacancy for a Principal Aeronautical Engineer in the Aeronautics Systems Impact Area within the Defence and Security cluster. This position is required to support the development of UAVs and integration of stores with aircraft and the provision of aeronautical services to industry . This position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the design process for air vehicles (e.g., UAV).
• Assist with planning aircraft development over multiple development cycles.
• Guide and instruct other team members on the analyses to be performed.
• Characterize and document designs and justifications.
• Perform and manage design trade studies, particularly around design decisions affecting the vehicle OML and aerodynamic performance, including:

1. Vehicle configuration and layout
2. Primary wings and tails design and sizing
3. Control surface design and sizing
4. Basic structural layout
5. Propulsion integration

• Develop engineering estimates for vehicle characteristics and specifications including:
• Aerodynamic coefficients
• Performance
• Weight and CG balances
• Propulsion effects
• Ensure that the vehicle design complies with regulations and specifications.
• Direct the detailed engineering design and analysis of the air vehicle.
• Plan and implement the ground test program to prepare for flight testing
• Ensure ground and flight system readiness
• Assist in flight test planning
• Compile, review, assess flight test data and operations, write test report
• Work in a systems engineering environment

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering OR a mechanical engineering degree
• Post-graduate qualifications in aeronautical engineering are advantageous.
• At least fifteen years’ experience working in an aircraft/UAV design environment with increasing responsibilities including oversight of designers, analysts, and drafters.
• As a minimum, the candidate shall have demonstrated the following experience:
• Leading the design of an air vehicles.
• Aircraft design process and familiarity with various vehicle analysis tools.
• Meeting aviation certification criteria and motivating compliance with aviation regulators
• Flight testing.
• Specific experience with unmanned aircraft is an advantage.
• Design trade studies
• Design optimisation
• Experience in writing documentation necessary to operate air vehicles, test reports
• Working in a systems engineering environment
• Demonstrated record of leading the configuration design of at least one aircraft.
• Hands-on knowledge of aircraft performance, stability and control characteristics.
• Knowledge of aircraft and/or UAV design regulations.
• Knowledge of aerodynamic models &and databases.
• Knowledge of flight and wind tunnel test planning, instrumentation selection, execution, and data analysis.
• The principal aircraft designer shall have the following abilities:

1. Mastery of computerized aeronautical design and analysis systems.
2. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
3. Be skilled in computer programming.
4. Able to translate requirements into engineered solutions with minimal oversight.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
6. Excellent managerial and supervisory skills.
7. A natural team-player.
8. Able to mentor junior engineers.

• Be a South African citizen and eligible for security clearance