Aircraft Design & Performance Engineer

Review: Aircraft Design & Performance Engineer - Rolls-Royce Future Platforms

This role presents a compelling opportunity for an ambitious Aircraft Design & Performance Engineer to join the pioneering Rolls-Royce Future Platforms team in Derby. At its core, this position is about shaping the future of aviation, working at the forefront of technological advancement. Rolls-Royce's commitment to progress and innovation, coupled with a culture that champions individuality and diverse perspectives, creates an environment ripe for career growth and significant impact.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Pioneering Technology: You will be instrumental in developing and maintaining aircraft, aerodynamics, and noise capabilities for "beyond business-as-usual" concepts. This includes exciting areas like prop/openfan integration, novel aircraft configurations (BWB/TWB), and the design of all-electric assets, directly supporting Rolls-Royce's Core Strategy and Futureproofing initiatives.
• Strategic Influence: As part of the Central Group R&T, this role offers a unique opportunity to influence long-term technology outlook, R&T investment, and engagement with external stakeholders, including airframe manufacturers, policymakers, airlines, and airports.
• Collaborative and Broad Scope: The position inherently involves close collaboration with peers across Civil and Defence sectors, as well as other Rolls-Royce businesses. This provides exposure to a wide range of technical challenges and solutions. The team's past successes, such as designing the Rolls-Royce eVTOL and supporting the Hydrogen Accelerator programme, highlight the innovative spirit and tangible impact of this group.
• Comprehensive Skill Development: You will gain invaluable experience in problem resolution, defining requirements, designing and integrating products and systems, performing technical analysis, assessing vehicle performance, and verifying systems throughout their lifecycle. The role emphasizes Systems Engineering principles and the application of Robust Design tools.
• Career Growth and Rewards: Rolls-Royce offers excellent development opportunities, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package, including bonus, employee support assistance, and discounts. The company's multi-year transformation programme signifies a dynamic and evolving workplace, offering a chance to be part of a high-performing, competitive, and growing organization.
• Inclusive Culture: Rolls-Royce is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives drive innovation, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Technical Depth: A strong technical foundation in aircraft design, performance, and mechanical design methodologies is essential. Candidates should also understand cross-discipline engineering concepts, including aerodynamics, thermodynamics, thermal and mechanical analysis, cost engineering, and product definition.
• Analytical and Innovative Thinking: The role demands the ability to apply logical, analytical, and innovative thinking to a range of technical problems, making balanced decisions across technical and business parameters.
• Systems Engineering Acumen: Experience with Systems Engineering principles and the ability to design and integrate complex systems, including managing interfaces, is crucial.
• Product Integrity and Certification: Knowledge and experience in product integrity, liability, and certification are preferred, indicating the importance of robust and compliant design.
• Forward-Looking Mindset: The nature of the Future Platforms team requires a forward-thinking perspective, an ability to maintain an outlook on disruptive technologies, and to identify market threats and opportunities.
• Adaptability: The role involves early development of novel assessment methods and triaging technical options, requiring adaptability and a willingness to explore new approaches.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an engineer passionate about the future of aviation and keen to contribute to groundbreaking technologies within a globally recognized leader. If you possess a strong technical background, a curious and innovative mindset, and a desire to shape the future of flight, this role at Rolls-Royce is well worth considering for your career trajectory.