Engineer, Systems Test

Flight Simulation Engineer

About Otto Aerospace

OTTO Aerospace is developing the world’s first fifth-generation business jet, designed for sustainability through advanced super-laminar aerodynamics and high-precision, net-shaped composites. Flight testing of our technology demonstrator has validated a dramatic reduction in fuel burn and a substantial improvement in cabin comfort. OTTO Aerospace designs world-class aircraft from first-principles physics to deliver breakthrough aircraft and economic performance.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Manager of System Integration and Simulation Test, the Flight Simulation Engineer develops, validates, controls, and continuously improves the aircraft flight simulation model throughout the full aircraft lifecycle. The role delivers simulation models and validation evidence that support aircraft design, systems integration, pilot-in-the-loop evaluation, flight-test preparation, certification, and simulator qualification.

This role contributes to the integration, implementation, validation, and configuration control of the aircraft six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) flight-dynamics and aerodynamic simulation model. Working with experienced technical leads and partner functions, the engineer supports model architecture, aerodynamic database implementation, wind-tunnel and CFD correlation, flight-test updates, validation evidence, and progressive refinement toward simulator qualification objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and refine assigned areas of the aircraft 6-DOF simulation model, which may include aerodynamic forces and moments, mass properties, propulsion effects, ground handling, atmospheric effects, and control-surface interactions.
• Translate aero databases, stability/control derivatives, wind-tunnel results, CFD outputs, and engineering assumptions into validated simulation parameters
• Correlate the simulation model against wind-tunnel, CFD, analytical, ground-test, and flight-test data
• Analyze correlation results and recommend updates to aerodynamic coefficients, trim behavior, control effectiveness, stall-onset behavior, damping, transient response, and edge-of-envelope characteristics in coordination with the responsible technical disciplines.
• Develop model verification and validation plans for assigned functions, define objective pass/fail criteria, document model limitations and assumptions, maintain requirements traceability, and support baselined model releases under established configuration-control processes.
• Develop and execute validation test cases for handling qualities, performance, stability, control response, and special-case flight conditions, with review by the appropriate technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to and maintain assigned portions of the model maturation roadmap in coordination with Aerodynamics, Flight Sciences, Flight Controls, Systems, Flight Test, Software, and Certification. Track model updates across early design, wind-tunnel and CFD activities, ground test, flight test, certification, production, and in-service changes.
• Support the long-term objective of Level D simulator qualification by preparing model validation evidence, documenting objective test comparisons, ensuring repeatability, and following established configuration-control processes in support of the applicable qualification test guide.
• Coordinate with aerodynamics, flight sciences, flight controls, systems, flight test, software, and certification teams.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related technical field. An advanced degree is preferred.

• 4–7 years of relevant experience developing, integrating, validating, or maintaining aircraft flight dynamics, aerodynamics, or real-time simulation models. A relevant advanced degree may be considered as part of the overall experience of assessment.

• Strong understanding of 6-DOF equations of motion, aircraft stability and control, aero coefficient modeling, trimming, linearization, and data correlation.

• Experience using wind-tunnel, CFD, flight-test, or simulator data to update and validate aircraft models.

• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and Python for model development, data analysis, automation, and validation. Experience with C/C++ and one or more real-time simulation is preferred.

• Experience integrating aircraft models into real-time simulation environments, including interface definition, timing and execution-rate management, data exchange, software-in-the-loop or hardware-in-the-loop integration, and troubleshooting across simulation components.

• Experience supporting engineering flight simulators, pilot-in-the-loop evaluations, flight-test preparation, or simulator qualification is preferred.

Interpersonal Skills

• Communicates technical information clearly to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

• Collaborates effectively across engineering, test, software, and certification teams.

• Listens actively and incorporates stakeholder feedback.

• Resolves cross-functional issues constructively and builds alignment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.

• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods.

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Otto Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

This position is remote initially and requires relocation to Florida during Q1–Q2 2027.