Engineering Manager – Aerodynamics, Performance, and Conceptual Design

Supernal is at the forefront of creating emerging mobility solutions that will foster the development of human-centered cities. We are designing a completely new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft tailored to the mobility needs of future cities. This allows passengers a seamless intermodal journey that safely transports them to their final destination. We fuse research in autonomy, robotics, aviation and services to define a new category of mobility for the world’s communities. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people’s ability to move – whether for work or play.

What we do:

The Engineering Manager will be responsible for staffing, leading, and contributing technically to two teams – the Aerodynamics & Performance Team, and the Conceptual Design Team. Approximately 40% of the time is spent staffing and leading the teams in completing multiple programs and in developing the teams’ capabilities. The remaining 60% is spent contributing technically. As a member of the larger Engineering, Research, and Development (ER&D) organization, you’ll also interact and coordinate with other stakeholders to achieve broader programmatic and functional objectives. This role is physically located in Irvine, CA.

What you can do:

• Work with the teams, the Product Management Office, the Finance department, and other organizations to plan and manage the teams’ annual budgets
• Hire staff as planned
• Implement methods to ensure quality of the team’s work and productivity
• Manage the performance development for individual engineers and conduct annual performance evaluations for other employees as requested
• Plan, manage, and communicate clearly and concisely on scope, schedule, cost, and risk
• Understand and develop core methods and capabilities for rotor and airframe aerodynamics and conceptual design; rationalize and standardize the portfolio
• Conduct multi-disciplinary trade studies with the broader engineering team to guide design decisions
• Ensure that aircraft configurations meet the performance requirements for their missions
• Handle the design, analysis, and test of vehicle aerodynamics from the concept phase through production
• Support updates to aerodynamics models based on ground test and flight test data
• Use component and vehicle test data to improve analytical predictions and models
• Conduct mission performance analyses for the Strategy Team
• Support verification of requirements in various engineering subject areas
• Add and manage documents with product lifecycle management tools (i.e. Enovia, 3DX)
• Up to 25% travel domestically and internationally
• Other duties as assigned

What you can contribute:

• Bachelor’s degree in in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in loads & dynamics and/or rotor dynamics and five (5) years of experience in managing teams (an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered)
• Experience using innovative computational and empirical methods to craft, analyze, and test the aerodynamics and performance of eVTOL, rotorcraft, or fixed-wing aircraft
• Excellent leadership, management, and project planning skills
• Able to communicate sophisticated information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in written form, across multiple levels of the organization - from SME’s to peers, the chief engineer’s office, and corporate executives
• Self-motivated; pro-active; attentive to detail and schedule
• Deep understanding of eVTOL engineering fundamentals, especially airframe and rotor aerodynamics and conceptual design

You may also be able to contribute:

• Master’s degree or PhD preferred
• Experience in the eVTOL industry desired

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Individuals with disabilities may request to be provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at: ta-support@supernal.aero

This position may include access to certain technology and/or software source code, that will be subject to U.S. export con