Lead Performance & Sizing Engineer at Supernal

Irvine, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, Advanced Air Mobility, eVTOLIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field required
Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience (an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered)
Experience performing aerodynamics and performance analysis to evaluate new concepts and refine existing concepts
Experience with innovative, physics-based aerodynamics analysis and design methods
Experience with MDAO tools and methods
Demonstrable project planning and leadership skills
An understanding of aerodynamics engineering fundamentals, especially with regard to an aircraft
Capability to assess the aerodynamics and performance of vertical lift aircraft through analysis, test, and a combination of the two
Experience with rotorcraft or fixed-wing performance analysis techniques that builds on applicable educational experience
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Proactive delivery of communication and follow up
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to independently prioritize

Responsibilities

Lead and conduct the planning and execution of vehicle performance and sizing tasks for rotorcraft design and analysis, ground tests, and flight tests
Interface regularly with other engineers working on Configuration, Handling Qualities, Loads & Dynamics, Propulsion, Flight Controls, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), amongst others
Develop and maintain aircraft sizing models that integrate aerodynamics, propulsion, weight estimation, mission profiles, and energy systems
Conduct vehicle-level performance analyses, including hover, climb, cruise, descent, and transition phases
Define and optimize mission profiles (range, payload, endurance, speed, reserve energy, etc.) based on operational and certification requirements
Perform trade studies on design parameters such as rotor configuration, battery capacity, wing loading, and powertrain sizing to guide conceptual design
Collaborate with aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and controls teams to ensure consistency between subsystem performance and overall vehicle goals
Support simulation and modeling activities for energy management, control law tuning, and flight performance validation
Prepare technical documentation, presentations, and reports for internal design reviews and external stakeholders (e.g., regulators or partners)
Contribute to system-level requirements definition and support design optimization for performance, efficiency, and safety
Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers
Other duties as assigned

Skills

Aircraft Sizing

Performance Analysis

Aerodynamics

Propulsion

Weight Estimation

Mission Profiles

Rotorcraft Design

Trade Studies

Hover Analysis

Climb Analysis

Cruise Analysis

CFD

Flight Controls

Loads & Dynamics

Handling Qualities

Supernal

Develops electric vertical takeoff aircraft

About Supernal

Supernal focuses on transforming urban transportation through the development of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles. These electric aircraft are designed to take off and land vertically, providing a zero-carbon and efficient transportation option for cities. Supernal targets urban planners, city governments, and private transportation companies, offering solutions to reduce ground traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Their business model includes the development, production, and operation of eVTOLs, generating revenue through sales, leasing, and support services like maintenance and fleet management. Based in Irvine, California, Supernal emphasizes safety and customer needs, with their eVTOL model, the S-A2, featuring eight tilting rotors to address engineering challenges. The company aims to set a high standard for advanced air mobility and believes in the importance of collaboration within the community to achieve success.

Washington, District of ColumbiaHeadquarters

2020Year Founded

VENTURE_UNKNOWNCompany Stage

Automotive & Transportation, Government & Public Sector, EnergyIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Performance Bonus

Risks

Relocation to Irvine may disrupt operations and employee productivity temporarily.

Competition from Lilium threatens Supernal's market share in the U.S.

Geopolitical challenges may affect Supernal's expansion in Asia and Europe.

Differentiation

Supernal focuses on zero-carbon eVTOLs for urban air mobility, unlike many competitors.

The S-A2 features unique eight tilting rotors, solving multiple engineering challenges.

Supernal collaborates with Hyundai for advanced design and manufacturing expertise.

Upsides

Partnerships with Blade and Sigma enhance Supernal's market reach and operational capabilities.

FAA's regulatory frameworks could accelerate Supernal's commercial deployment by 2028.

Advancements in battery technology improve S-A2's range and charging efficiency.

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