Senior Aerodynamicist

Job Title:        Senior Aerodynamicist  
Location:        Ashford, Kent  + Adaptive Working Arrangement
Package:        Highly Competitive Salary + Benefits Package
Role Type:      Full time / Permanent
Role ID:          SF15465

Be part of the QinetiQ journey. Join us as a Senior Aerodynamicist  at our Ashford site where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and many of the industry’s most brilliant minds.

The role
We are currently recruiting a Senior Aerodynamicist to join QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS) within our Engineering Team. QTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ Group PLC specialising in the design and manufacture of a range of state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial and Surface Target systems including the world leading Banshee target.

QTS targets are used to enable realistic weapons test and evaluation and operator training in over forty countries worldwide with QTS providing a complete managed service in over fifteen of these countries.

The role
As a Senior Aerodynamicist you will have direct responsibility for the delivery of sound technical solutions on new Aerial Target development projects and will be expected to work closely with Aeronautical team, Project Managers and leaders in other Engineering disciplines.

Duties will include:

• Provide Aeronautical/Aerodynamics expertise to new aerial target product development including design, analysis and advice.
• Preparing/Reviewing technical documentation such Technical Proposals, Design Definition reports, Programme Qualification Plans, Flight Test Plans/Procedures, Flight Test Reports and other product/project related technical documentation.
• Conduct Aerodynamics investigations to evaluate aerial target aerodynamics performance capabilities.
• Participate in design reviews and present aerodynamics technical design solutions in new Aerial Targets development programmes.
• Analysis and evaluation of aerial target flight telemetry data and performance vs design data.
• Support Flight Test Trials by providing aerodynamics technical input and reviewing flight telemetry data.
• Where appropriate technical manage projects or work packages.

This role is full time, 37-hours per week, based at our Ashford site with an a hybrid working arrangement. You will also be required to support Flight Test campaigns with estimated 10% travel overseas.

Essential experience of the Senior Aerodynamicist 

• You’ll have experience in working in all parts of the engineering life cycle from initial proposal through to requirements development, design, testing, qualification, certification and production release phases.
• Demonstrable experience in aerospace product development, ideally understanding aerodynamics fundamentals such as: 2D & 3D boundary layer theory, laminar/turbulent flow, lift/drag analysis, aerofoil design, transonic & supersonic aerodynamics design criteria.
• A broad understanding of Flight Dynamics & Aerodynamics principles and theory, as well as exposure to wind tunnel testing or flight testing of missiles/aircrafts.
• A good knowledge and experience in design for manufacture, and design for assembly as well as trade-offs between aerodynamics performance and structural strength.
• An understanding of safety and airworthiness relevant to the Aerial Targets Industry.
• The ability to make key decisions and proposals on aerodynamic aspects of aerial target design.
• Exposure to 3D design and analysis tools such as Solid Works and CFD, Fluent, Open Foam and other advanced design methodologies.

 
Qualifications for the Senior Aerodynamicist  
You will be degree qualified in the Aeronautical field, with experience in Defence or Aerospace industries new product development and have experience of working as part of multidisciplinary Engineering team (Aerospace, Electronics, Software, Mechanical etc). 

Please note that all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum:  UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Our Benefits

• Adaptive and flexible working
• Generous holiday allowance
• Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows most employees to buy up to 5 days’ additional leave. 
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant
• Payroll Giving and Volunteering - helping charities and local community

Our volunteering programme enables our people to use their professional skills to make a positive difference in our local communities, for example STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) ambassador days in schools. We support a number of charities that are important to our people, including those which help the defence community. 

Why Join QinetiQ?
As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

You’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in an= diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. 

About QinetiQ
As a company of thousands of dedicated professionals, we are a world-centre of excellence in research and development and act as a catalyst for fast-track innovation, offering outstanding experimentation facilities, and technical, engineering and scientific expertise. QinetiQ is made up of dedicated experts in defence, aerospace, security and related markets, all working together to explore new ways of protecting what matters most. Being part of QinetiQ means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help to save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend. Come and find out how you can play a role.

Security
Please note that many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting. Applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment, subject to approval. A number of roles are also subject to restrictions on access to information, which mean factors such as nationality, previous nationalities held and the country in which you were born may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Application Guidance
If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please contact your regional recruiting team in strictest confidence. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive.

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