About the role
You've built your own prototypes to get quick answers, pencil and paper calculations are always your first step, you prefer simple and fast over detailed and large, you are on the floor during system testing, you have never presented a FEM plot without adjusting the legend scale
The ideal candidate will be someone who excels in a fast paced, dynamic environment and is excited to own and drive simple, elegant solutions to complex problems that will help save lives every day
Passion for and demonstrated history of solving complex engineering challenges
Minimum 5 years experience performing loads and dynamics analysis at both part and system levels
Familiarity with structural dynamics, aerodynamic loads, and control systems
Experience with industry standard analysis tools (Siemens NX, FEMAP/NX Nastran, Siemens Simcenter, ZAERO/ZONAIR, RCAS, MATLAB)
History of working with cross functional teams to solve complex engineering problems
You will be responsible for developing aircraft and ground system loads from conceptual architecture phase through qualification testing
In this role you will own all aspects of flight & ground loads development including setting and upholding analysis requirements, processes, and standards
This role works closely with structures and subsystem engineers to define stiffness and load requirements needed to meet system goals as well as jumping in to design and analyze hardware when needed
You will work closely with Reliability and Test Engineering to identify, investigate, and root cause failures discovered in testing and in the field
On any given day you could be building test articles in our composites/ prototype labs, developing simple models to inform design trade studies, performing structural tests to validate analysis, working across disciplines to tackle complex system level challenges, root causing a test or field failure, or in the field supporting flight tests
Loads and Dynamics Analysis:
Perform analysis to develop loads to size flight and ground subsystems, structures, assemblies, and systems
Develop quasi-static, balanced load cases that will be applied to air-vehicle Global FEMs
Predict response to transient dynamic events such as impact, launch, recovery, parachute deployment, bird strike, and motor imbalance
Create multi-body simulations to quantify dynamic loads resulting from multi-body interactions
Work with Aero & GNC teams to compute aeroelastic loads for gust, maneuver, and failure load cases
Define program loads requirements and methodologies for developing flight, transient dynamic, and multibody loads, including developing and maintaining a loads database that envelopes all air vehicle load cases
Build and document standardized in-house tools and processes to develop flight, transient dynamic, and multibody air vehicle loads
Vehicle Structural Analysis:
Evaluate and optimize systems (flight and ground) for structural loads, vibration modes, and deflections
Perform analysis and sizing of airframe primary and secondary structure including static, dynamic, and stability analysis for metallic and non-metallic structures
Classical stress analysis (Roark/Bruhn) to do initial sizing
Dynamic analysis, including structural modes, random vibration, and forced harmonic vibration
Drive design trades with data from lightweight FEMs (Beams/Shells) that can be rapidly updated (daily) to match evolving configurations
Experimental Correlation of Flight and Test Data:
Identify and define when test correlation is required to validate simulation models, including static, dynamic, aerodynamic, and flight tests
Produce pre-test predictions, instrumentation locations, and post test data analysis to tune model stiffness and loads results within 5% of test
Rapidly resolve test issues (hours) and provide corrective action direction for issues found in qualification testing
Work closely with design and test engineers to determine test requirements and support vehicle level tests
About the company
Zipline is transforming the way goods move by creating the first logistics system that serves all humans equally via a drone delivery service. As the first emergency drone logistics operation, Zipline is fundamentally changing how we transport emergency medical supplies and has expanded into commercial deliveries. It's partnered with several major companies, including Walmart.
Zipline has an edge over potential future competitors as the company has thousands of hours and over 35 million miles of flight to prove the system is safe and effective. It's also one of the first companies to receive a full commercial operating certificate, putting Zipline in a strong position to continuously branch out to other markets.
The unicorn company operates globally and has signed its first government contract with Rwanda to provide up to 2 million drone deliveries by 2029. It is also aiming to start commercial deliveries to individual households in the near future. With big companies such as Amazon and Walmart examining "instant" delivery options, Zipline has a proven track record and the equipment and logistics in place to provide such services. 2023 funding pushed Zipline's valuation to a staggering $4.2 billion, indicating a bright future.