Rotorcraft Cost Engineer (Remote, TOC)

CFD Research Corporation is seeking a multidisciplinary engineer with expertise in rotary-wing and advanced air vehicle design to support the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Center’s (AvMC)  Technology Development Directorate (TDD).  This role directly supports the Conceptual Design and Assessment (CD&A) Branch and contributes to the evaluation and development of next-generation Army aviation concepts.

The selected candidate will apply and extend design tools, develop cost estimating methodologies, and perform system-level analyses spanning cost and performance.  This position has a strong emphasis on cost modeling and cost-informed design, enabling data-driven decisions across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design efforts.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and improve aircraft cost estimates, technology assumptions, technical solutions, and risk impacts.
• Develop and refine cost estimating relationships for aircraft lifecycle and component-level costs.
• Conduct multi-disciplinary trade studies to explore design and requirements trade space with CD&A stakeholders.
• Drive trades decisions and recommend requirements to improve system performance, cost, and mission effectiveness.
• Provide insight into operational effectiveness and affordability of proposed air vehicle concepts.
• Utilize government-standard tools, such as NASA Design and Analysis of Rotorcraft (NDARC), for detailed aircraft modeling and performance assessment.
• Assess current and emerging technologies through cost-benefit analysis and support system-level assessments of component technologies.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field from an accredited college or university.
• 5 years of experience performing conceptual design of rotorcraft or air vehicle conceptual design, including performance, cost estimation, and weight.
• Demonstrated experience developing Cost Estimating Relationships for aircraft systems or lifecycle cost.
• Experience with aircraft design and analysis tools such as NDARC and Air Vehicle Integrated Design Environment (AIDEN).
• U.S. Citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Advanced knowledge of rotor conceptual design process.
• Experience leading technical efforts or working independently in multidisciplinary environments.
• Familiarity with OpenVSP, OpenMDAO, or similar modeling frameworks.
• Experience supporting government customers or defense acquisition environments.

Location:  This is a remote, part-time, TOC position with flexible, on-demand hours that vary based on contract needs and candidate availability.