Principal Modelling and Simulation Engineer in Bristol

Stirling Dynamics is recruiting for a Principal Modelling and Simulation Engineer to join the Simulation, Dynamics and Control capability group. Due to upcoming projects and continued growth, Stirling Dynamics are looking for a talented and experienced Principal Modelling and Simulation Engineer to permanently join our expanding team.

The Simulation, Dynamics and Control capability provides expertise to both internal and external customers in all areas of analysis including:

• Control
• System performance
• Equipment modelling
• Vehicle dynamics
• Fluid dynamics
• Dynamic loads
• Aeroelastics
• Vibration

Modelling, simulation, dynamics, and control has always been at the core of Stirling Dynamics' capabilities, and we have been at the forefront of developing modelling techniques and model-based design activities for over 30 years. Modelling has never been more important for engineering design, with requirements for reverse engineering, root cause analysis, real-time models and support for the development of traditional aerospace platforms to the emerging field of eVTOL and urban air mobility, and future generations of aircraft and marine vehicles that heavily rely on modelling to explore the new operating scenarios, radical systems, new technologies and accelerated design life cycles.

Within this role you will have the opportunity to work with other like-minded engineers across our Marine, Aerospace, eVTOL and Cockpit Controls business areas, and support the further development and growth of the business. We work across all Stirling business units across a wide variety of projects from significant modifications on civil and military aircraft; development projects for large aerospace OEMs; concepts and feasibility studies for the emerging eVTOL industry; controller actuation development for simulator and flight worthy products and control and automation covering submarine autopilots and flight control laws.

The successful engineer will work within a team responsible for the development of models at vehicle level, system level and equipment level. The role covers all aspects of model-based design, from concept/trade studies, through model requirements capture, the support of requirements verification, design activities, model validation, support to test, in-service support and root cause analysis. As a principal engineer you will offer technical leadership on projects including task definition, and act in a supervisory support to more junior members of the team. This role will be predominantly based in our Bristol office with occasional travel to our clients’ sites as required. As part of our commitment to flexibility, we also accept hybrid working.

The role will suit an engineer with a minimum of 10 years industrial experience developing and using models for analysis. The successful candidate will work with other engineers and the Capability group Technical Manager on developing and deploying methodologies in the areas of:

• Multi-system models
• Actuator control
• Motor control
• Dynamic loads
• Aeroelastics
• Aerodynamics
• Thermal modelling

The role is "hands on" so the candidate is expected to carry out engineering work but also act as technical project lead, managing the tasks and workload of other project engineers, and being responsible for the quality of the technical output whilst maintaining the time and cost constraints. As such, experience in a similar role is important.

Additional support to future bids and proposals will also be required, so demonstrable experience in estimating required hours and resources for project delivery, and being able to deliver to this estimate is also required. Stirling have a number of strategic growth areas, working towards electrification of aircraft systems, development of landing gear, advanced active cockpit controls and future advanced submarine control systems. The role offers a great opportunity for someone with experience and interest in these areas to develop the future of aerospace and marine systems.

Qualifications: Candidates will be degree qualified (or equivalent), in a related discipline preferably Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mathematics, and must be able to demonstrate a good understanding of fundamental modelling principles of systems through past experience. Knowledge and understanding of the design processes within the aerospace and/or marine industry with demonstrable experience working in development projects.

Skills: Good understanding of modelling tool sets such as:

• Matlab/Simulink
• Ansys
• Nastran
• ADAMS
• Amesim
• Siemens Simcenter Motion

It is understood that no one person will meet all of the requirements for this position, but the role would suit a generalist who has a strong understanding across a wide range of these areas.

Desired Skills: Confidentiality, flexible, can-do approach, ability to deal with multiple conflicting requests, professional attitude, self-motivated to see tasks through to successful completion, strong time management and organisational skills.

Experience: 10+ years of industrial experience within the aerospace and/or marine industries, hands-on modelling experience covering some of the areas above, and through development life cycles, strong knowledge of modelling toolsets with previous experience of developing best practices and methodologies, experience of leading technical projects, experience working in a consultancy, experience of line management. The candidate should have experience of technical areas such as:

• Hydro-actuated systems
• Electro-mechanical actuated systems
• Multi-body simulation
• Vehicle dynamics
• Systems engineering
• Flight dynamics
• Aeroelastics
• Flight controls
• Dynamic loads
• Real-time models
• CFD
• Aerodynamics
• Motor control
• Vehicle control
• Actuation systems
• ARP4754
• DO178
• DO254
• DO331

Benefits: Competitive package - Grade 6-7 with a salary banding of £51-65,000. We offer a range of benefits to our employees to recognise their efforts. Playing hard is equally as important as working hard, so regular events are held throughout the year which provide an ideal opportunity to mix socially.