Lead Aircraft Conceptual Design Engineer (Performance and Sizing)

Rise above. Are you ready to take human possibility to a new dimension with us?

Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company that’s developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and the ground-to-air ecosystem to support the emerging industry. By creating a sustainable, integrated, and human-centered ecosystem, we are committed to taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to entering the AAM market with a product that meets the high level of safety and reliability in today’s air transportation system.

The future of mobility starts with people. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people’s ability to move – whether for work or play. Join our dynamic team as we strive to be a part of something greater where potential powers tomorrow!

Supernal provides an inviting open-space workplace designed to foster collaboration, which aligns with one of our core values. This position is required to work on-site 5 days a week.

What we do:

The Lead Aircraft Conceptual Design Engineer (Performance & Sizing) will lead and conduct the planning and execution of vehicle performance and sizing tasks for rotorcraft design and analysis, ground tests, and flight tests. The engineer will interface regularly with other engineers working on Configuration, Handling Qualities, Loads & Dynamics, Propulsion, Flight Controls, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), amongst others.

What you can do:

• 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

What you can contribute:

• 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 and accomplish work within time constraints

• Self-motivated and forward-thinking

• Proficiency with MS Office Suite

You may also be able to contribute:

• Experience performing analysis on VTOL aircraft preferred

Base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for a bonus as part of total compensation.

The pay range for this position is:
$180,000—$220,000 USD

Click HERE or visit: https://jobs.supernal.aero/benefits to view our benefits!

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other category or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at: [email protected]

This position may include access to certain technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. export controls laws and regulations. If an export authorization from an applicable US regulatory agency is required in connection with your employment, your employment is contingent upon Supernal’s receipt of such regulatory authorization(s) and your continued compliance with all conditions and limitations pursuant to such authorization(s).