At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and analysis of flight physics for our innovative Zephyr platform.
- Company: Join AALTO, a pioneering Airbus subsidiary in stratospheric technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a personal pension plan.
- Other info: Collaborate with a passionate team and unlock new aerospace frontiers.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of aerospace innovation and make a real impact in Stratospace.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Physics with experience in unmanned autonomous air systems.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location
Farnborough
Contract Type
Full Time, Permanent
Hours
37 – Hybrid
Travel
Not expected
AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace.
Based in Farnborough, AALTO is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar‑powered, stratospheric platform: Zephyr.
Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time.
Its current flight‑time record of over 67 days in the stratosphere.
From above 60,000+ft, or 20km above ground, AALTO can deliver several applications including direct‑to‑device connectivity and high‑resolution Earth observation.
AALTO operates in a new operational layer between most of air traffic and low‑Earth orbit, Stratospace.
This is where high‑altitude platforms led by Zephyr deliver services to commercial and government partners.
We can help monitor environments, observe borders, track natural disasters and connect unconnected communities.
Join us as we create a new domain of aerospace: Stratospace.
You’ll be part of a highly‑skilled, innovative and passionate group of people – Team AALTO.
Together, we can Unlock Stratospace.
About The Role
As Head of Flight Physics, you will have overarching responsibility for the Zephyr Flight Physics activities needed to design, analyse, verify, and certify the aircraft, in the disciplines of Aerodynamics, Flight Control Laws, Flight Dynamics and Flight Loads.
You will be responsible for motivating and empowering a team of 3 flight physics specialists.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of bespoke Aeroelastic, Flight Dynamics and Aero Loads models collaborating with other Subject Matter Experts within Zephyr and wider Airbus teams (including centres of competence).
- Manage and develop the Flight Physics Team.
- Collaborate with Meteorology SMEs to capture the environmental conditions and limits of the platform.
- Defining and running computer simulations for the platforms. (e. g. MATLAB & Simulink, CFD).
- Defining robust contingency Control Laws to maintain safe flight.
- Define the Control Laws and Algorithm Architecture for the on-board automation systems including Flight Controls System, Navigation System & Flight Sensor Management Systems.
- Avoiding over‑ and under‑specification, ensuring software requirements are correctly and completely implemented in compliance with quality criteria.
- Establish qualification / verification processes and methods through the entire development cycle including flight test.
- Orchestrate the creation of engineering design data packs, flight clearance reports, and flight manual content in a concise and timely manner.
Skills and Knowledge Required
- An Engineering or Physics based degree with proven experience.
- Experience with unmanned autonomous air systems.
- Familiar with Flight Physics role within a wider Aerospace Company and how that fits in.
- Familiar with Flight Control Clearance processes in association with a Certifying Authority.
- Demonstrable experience of taking a system technical requirement and evolving into a complete design solution.
- Algorithm architecture and detailed design documentation writing skills.
Desirable skills and experience
- Using a range of CFD and/or FEA tools and methods
- Wind Tunnel Test Campaigns
- Flight Test & Trials
- Knowledge of Airborne Software (Functional embedded C).
- Knowledge of Aircraft Stability and Control Augmentation.
- Automatic Flight Guidance and Control Systems (AFGCS) in certified aircraft.
What we offer
- Rewarding Excellence – Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.
- Enjoy Your Time Off – Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.
- Stay Healthy – We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.
- Secure Your Future – Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.
- Peace of Mind – Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.
- Getting around – Drive the latest vehicles with our discounted salary sacrifice scheme.
- We Care About You – Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.
- Perks Galore – Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, from household goods to travel!
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Flight Physics in Farnborough employer: AALTO
AALTO HAPS Ltd. is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment where employees can thrive in their careers. With a strong focus on professional growth, competitive benefits including a flexible work schedule and a pension plan, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, AALTO fosters a culture of collaboration and excellence. Located at the forefront of aerospace technology, employees have the unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking projects that redefine connectivity in the stratosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Flight Physics in Farnborough
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with AALTO for a Head of Flight Physics. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Flight Physics in Farnborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at AALTO, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At AALTO, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at AALTO
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with AALTO.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with AALTO. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like AALTO love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
