UAS Propulsion Engineer

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Job Description:

At Airbus Helicopters, Inc., we are looking for a powerhouse Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Propulsion Engineer to champion the full lifecycle of our cutting-edge Aerovel engine technology. If you are tired of being boxed into just one phase of engineering, this is your sandbox. From initial concept and hands-on dyno testing to flight test telemetry analysis and field support, you will truly own the engine lifecycle.

Reporting directly to the Chief Engineer, this is a high-visibility, high-impact role where your technical decisions directly safeguard aircraft and drive innovation in low-volume, high-stakes aerospace manufacturing.

Meet The Team:

The Airbus Helicopters Flexrotor Program offers one of the most sophisticated small tactical unmanned aerial systems (STUAS) with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). It can be used day or night by US and allied forces for a diverse range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) on land and at sea.
 

Your Working Environment:

Nestled in the heart of the stunning Columbia River Gorge in Bingen, WA, our workplace offers innovation and the ability to contribute to game-changing solutions while enjoying the flexibility to spread your wings. Whether it's solving complex challenges, or celebrating victories, you’ll be part of a cohesive crew that thrives on innovation and the beauty that the Pacific Northwest has to offer!

How We Care for You:

• Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)

• Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.

• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages.

• As a leader in our field, Airbus Helicopters, Inc. provides relocation assistance for qualified positions

Your Challenges:

Engine Dyno: 30%

• Perform hands-on work completing assembly and commissioning of new dynos, ensuring detailed work and spec is suitable for engine test

• Maintain fluency in Aerovel engine dyno’s critical and sensitive items, and technical approaches for achieving high degree of accuracy. Using this knowledge, safeguard and maintain accuracy, making improvements with due consideration and validation. 

• Maintain fluency and familiarity in configuration and setting of all user configurable dyno devices

Engine Development: 30%

• Lead the test method development, data collection, reporting and documentation for each change and its performance against requirement. Track hours and performance. Document results in test reports.

• Determine critical to quality characteristics in performance and develop testing and controls for production.

• Review of telemetry for flight test, and produce graphs, data, and engineering analysis, and recommendation.

• Assist development of HFE calibration process and technology to greatly increase accuracy and expediency of mapping time.

• Design of test equipment and fixtures

Engine Production and Field Sustainment: 30%

• Lead and perform root cause analysis of issues in production and field and determine the fundamental specification requirement for the resolution.

• Develop test plan and test equipment to validate root cause, or investigate field performance. 

• Review of telemetry for fielded operations, and produce graphs, data, and engineering analysis, and recommendation.

• Provide lead support for the Manufacturing Engineer’s creation of detailed work instructions and design of fixtures for inspection, assembly, and dynamic testing (including dyno). 

• Review and create engine parameter files and assist with automation of parameter file creation.

Project Manage and Document:   10%

• Crafts project plans, setting goals/target specs, and KPIs. Owns the quality of execution, iteration speed, quality of the decision-making, and quality of the results (as appropriate) of projects. 

• Leads projects and is responsible for technical leadership within projects. 

• Consistently and successfully delegates work and divides up complex tasks for project teams.

Your Boarding Pass:

• Must possess a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Aeronautical Engineering (or equivalent technical degree and/or relevant experience)

• Three (3) + years' of relevant experience (or verifiable demonstrated equivalent) of aircraft systems design, development, integration and certification 

• Hand-on experience with build, maintenance, and working knowledge of internal combustion engines

• Hands-on experience with engine testing, combustion analysis, and data acquisition, and reporting.

• Demonstrated capability to manage deliverables to schedule.

• Knowledgeable and experienced in a standardized development process

• Experience designing parts to production and sustaining.

• Low volume series manufacturing techniques

• Electrical Wiring Diagram and wire-routing requirements understanding

• One or more years of experience operating engine dynamometer and engine inspection tools.

Travel Required: 

• 5% Domestic and International

Citizenship:  

• Must be a US Person under ITAR definition (For example a U.S. Citizen, green card holder or person covered under our existing ITAR license)

Physical Requirements: 

• Onsite 95% in Bingen, WA

• Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings daily. 

• Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms daily. 

• Speaking:  able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications daily. 

• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts daily. 

• Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs several times a week. 

• Lifting:  able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs several times a week. 

• Pushing / Pulling:  able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools daily. 

• Sitting:  able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer daily.

• Squatting / Kneeling:  able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving several times a week.

• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor several times a week. 

• Travel:  able to travel independently and at short notice several times a year.

• Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents):  able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces daily. 

• Personal Protective Equipment required:  Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site

• Administrative position only PPE required: Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visits, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.

Salary range based on the required profile: $83K to $134K /year.  Actual minimum and maximum may vary based on geographic differential. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors. This position offers the following benefits:  Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Prescription insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Basic & Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, Short and Long-term Disability insurance, 401(k), Paid time off including paid holidays, Tuition Assistance, Bonus(s) subject to performance criteria.  These are our current benefit offerings for the current plan year and are subject to change without notice.

Take your career to a new level and apply now!

A full job description will be provided to candidates who progress to the interview stage or any candidate upon request.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Aerovel Corporation

Employment Type:

US - Direct Hire

Experience Level:

Professional

Remote Type:

On-site

Job Family:

Powerplant and Propulsion

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Job Posting End Date: 07.11.2026

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