Job Summary

The Flight Simulation Engineer within Advanced Design & Development (AD&D) is responsible for building, maintaining, and executing modular flight simulation environments to support early aircraft development and pilot evaluations. This role will focus on developing scalable simulation architectures, integrating aerodynamic and system models, and ensuring fidelity through validation with flight test data. The engineer will collaborate across disciplines to deliver simulation capabilities that accelerate design decisions and support certification activities.

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Develop modular simulation environments for early development phases that can mature for certification credit.
• Build, maintain, and validate aerodynamic, mass properties, performance, and control models of Cirrus aircraft.
• Support models development for real-time simulation, performance predictions, and various analyses Perform low/mid/high fidelity aerodynamic simulations of Cirrus aircraft.
• Support verification and validation activities that rely on model outputs
• Develop and improve the software methods behind modeling tools and workflows
• Document models correlation and validation against experimental data
• Conduct simulations to support Functional Hazard Analyses (FHAs) at a vehicle level.
• Support pilot evaluations of various simulator models.
• Develop tools and conduct regular aircraft-level performance and sensitivity analyses.
• Develop efficient methods to feed flight test data back into simulation models of various fidelity and complexity.
• Analyze flight test data, identify sources of model error, and update vehicle physics models based on test data.
• Support design and analysis activities to verify business and regulatory requirements will be met with high confidence.
• Generate embedded aircraft performance models for flight manuals and flight management systems.
• Automate analysis pipelines for flight test data analysis, mission profile assessment, and safety of flight analysis.
• Collaborate with test pilots to improve model fidelity based on simulator feedback.
• Work closely with other engineers/teams to determine required model accuracy.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelors degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (or related discipline).
• 8+ years of aerospace vehicle performance and simulation experience at a full-vehicle level.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, and Simulink for simulation development.
• Strong understanding of aircraft aerodynamics, stability, and control derivatives.
• Experience developing modular simulation environments and toolsets.
• Experience with configuration control and management of models
• Expertise in modeling and numerical optimization techniques.
• Experience validating models using flight test data.
• Knowledge of version control software (e.g., Git) and collaborative software practices.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work in groups and individually.
• Masters or Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, preferred.
• Experience with advanced flight controls and avionics.
• Experience with human factors and pilot-vehicle interface development.
• Experience with JSBSim.
• Expert working with MATLAB, Simulink, and Python.
• Familiarity with developing and validating 6DOF linear and nonlinear simulations for aircraft.
• Experience with data processing techniques applied to experimental data, such as data reduction, Kalman filtering/smoothing, etc.
• Understanding of regression and system identification methods.
• Previous experience in conducting wind tunnel tests and/or flight tests and analyzing results to improve and validate simulation models.
• Previous experience working on an aviation certification program
• Experience using simulation and analysis for certification credit.
• Startup or rapid development program experience.
• Pilots license or personal aviation experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous aircraft development program experience, from early concepts to entry into service.
• Previous experience leading Integrated Product Teams or similar technical teams.
• Experience defining system interfaces, control logic, crew indications, and flight manual procedures.
• Experience developing and managing complex requirement sets.
• Prior involvement in system or aircraft level design reviews for highly integrated systems.
• Familiarity with electromechanical equipment, embedded software, and avionics.
• Private pilot certificate or personal aviation experience.
• Hands on test experience including instrumentation, data acquisition, and test execution.
• Familiarity with PTC products (e.g. CREO, Windchill)
• Familiarity with Mathworks products (e.g. Matlab, Simulink)
• Familiarity with Atlassian products (e.g. Jira, Confluence)
• Proficient in at least one coding language.
• Experience with FAA certification processes and standards (e.g. Part 23, Part 27, Advisory Circulars, Industry Consensus Standards).
• Experience representing systems in industry working groups or standards development.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, negotiate, and collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization, from the shop floor to the C-suite
• Bonus points if your weekends involve flying, plane spotting, or building RC aircraft.

Our Benefits: Cirrus provides a range of exciting benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan: Dollar-for-dollar match up to 5 after 90 days, with 100 vesting.
• Employer-Paid Coverages: Group term life, short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, vision, dental, with additional dependent coverage options.
• Free Health Tracking: With rewards for meeting health goals.
• Generous PTO: 120 hours accrued within the first year.
• Employee Referral Bonus: For referring talented candidates.
• Career Development: Tuition reimbursement and professional growth opportunities.
• Exclusive Discounts: Access to partner and marketplace discounts.
• Community & Engagement: Company and employee clubs at various locations.

These benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and enjoyment at Cirrus!

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Technical Expertise in Flight Simulation
• Adaptability & Resilience
• Effective Communication
• Attention to Detail

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required.

Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.