Company Overview:
Vertex Solutions is experiencing significant growth in its mixed reality (MR) aviation simulator division. Increasing demand for our lightweight, reconfigurable simulators for military exercises, commercial aviation interest in our research contract with the FAA for MR simulator certification, our partnership with Archer Aviation eVTOL OEM, and expanding international opportunities are driving a critical need to increase our aviation modeling and simulation practice. We are seeking highly motivated, Aerospace Engineering candidates who are not afraid to tackle new problems in the emerging field of high-fidelity MR aviation simulators. We are at the forefront of innovation and are looking for engineers capable of analyzing modeling and simulation approaches from new perspectives to help revolutionize aviation simulator training.
We offer a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. With a rapidly growing footprint in the Defense Industry, we are poised to expand our capabilities and establish a stronger presence in the defense and commercial sectors. As we continue to innovate and integrate cutting-edge technologies, we are poised to deliver advanced solutions that address the most complex challenges.
Job Summary:
The Lead Aerospace Simulation Engineer will be responsible for the planning, scoping, design, architecture, integration, and implementation of aircraft simulation solutions for a variety of aircraft simulation tasks. The individual will architect the overall aircraft simulation solution, both hardware and software, lead planning and development of program work breakdown structures (WBS), lead development of technical content for bids and proposals, and will support the design, coding, testing, debugging, and documenting of new or existing hardware, software, and additional content as well as define and recommend system enhancements and solutions for hardware and software design and development problems. The individual will perform aircraft simulation hardware integration and software and content development using C/C++ and other programming or scripting languages, as required. Hardware development will focus on integration of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom primary flight controls, control loaders for active force feedback, physical avionics, virtual and mixed reality visualization and interaction/control systems, and motion platforms/solutions. Software and content development will focus on simulation of aircraft and weapon system flight dynamics, aircraft systems (including engines, fuel, hydraulics, electrical, avionics, etc.), and aircraft system interfaces and underlying logic. Additionally, this individual will create system documentation and meet project deadlines in a timely manner. The Lead Aerospace Simulation Engineer is expected to analyze, recommend, and implement proposed new technologies and solutions without significant assistance.
Essential Functions:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Leads design and architecture of the technical solution while considering both the hardware and software aspects and any virtual and/or mixed-reality components
- Leads the technical solution design process during the Capture and Bid & Proposal phases of the business development lifecycle (BDL) including input needed to shape requirements and working with engineering teams and partner businesses to develop, scope, and describe detailed technical approaches
· Leads the development of work breakdown structures and schedule planning for the technical development work
· Develops cross-platform applications using C/C++
· Analyzes existing C/C++ in order to determine underlying functionality
- Develops and maintains code and integrates software components into a fully functional software system
- Analyzes customer requirements and designs software solutions that both meet the customer’s needs and align with the company’s long-term strategic goals
- Analyzes aircraft performance data, documentation, and pilot input to develop and iteratively improve existing and novel flight dynamics simulations using various frameworks
- Translates customer-provided documentation and other data into state machines, empirical models, numerical models, and other simulations of aircraft and other mechanical system’s behaviors and logic that are capable of interfacing with real-time interactive virtual and mixed-reality simulations
- Utilizes and designs application programming interfaces while integrating developed software components within a complete solution environment
- Implements software in accordance with design specifications and in compliance with company standards and procedures
- Creates and updates design documents, master feature lists, etc.
- Scopes development work accurately and in-line with time and cost constraints
- Applies quality assurance standards throughout the entire development lifecycle in compliance with company procedures and industry best practices
- Troubleshoots software issues and thinks creatively to resolve technical challenges and limitations
- Tests and debugs own work, and other’s work, to reduce time spent in the formal QC process
- Communicates with team and project management in a timely and effective manner
- Provides technical documentation for both internal and external stakeholders
- Assists with test procedures and documentation of test results to meet software system requirements
- For awarded programs and during the requirements phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), supports Design Document and Software Requirement Specification Document development with customers, business staff, and engineering teams
- During the product development phase, continually documents system architectures, supports feature planning and aligns with customer and contract requirements, and manages and coordinates hardware and software integration efforts with partner companies
- During the product testing phase coordinates test planning and execution at corporate-site and corporate-managed customer locations in addition to coordinating feature and integration testing with partner company staff
- During the product delivery phase supports work with corporate- and customer-site company staff and partner company staff to coordinate logistics, user acceptance testing, and maintenance and feedback planning
Competencies
- Ability to create products with extremely high attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to successfully manage and meet multiple, simultaneous project deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks while demonstrating the initiative to complete projects with minimum supervision
- Ability to work independently and as part of a project team
- Ability to change and adapt to new or changing project requirements
- Willingness to learn and improve
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibility.
Work EnvironmentThis job operates in an office or home office environment.
Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and work on a computer for long periods of time. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, and kneel. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 10 pounds as needed. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Additionally, this position will require daily use of various XR head mounted displays.
Position Type/Expected Hours of WorkSome flexibility in hours is allowed, but the employee must be available during the “core” work hours of 0900 - 1600. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel
· Local (Niceville, FL): Limited travel is expected for this position (3 – 5 times per year).
· Remote: Travel to Niceville, FL is expected 10 or more times per year while developing and testing the simulation systems.
Required Education, Experience, and Skills
- 10+ years of related experience
- Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent with relevant aeromechanical and/or aerospace simulation expertise
- Experience in programming with C/C++
- Experience with applied aerospace, mechanical, or simulation engineering
- Experience with empirical and numerical simulation of aircraft and/or mechanical systems
- Experience with working across the SDLC
- Strong understanding of the fundamentals of software engineering principles and how to apply them to design and develop robust, efficient, scalable, and maintainable applications
- Strong collaboration and communication skills within distributed project teams
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong problem solving, analytical, and debugging skills
- Ability to work effectively under pressure, independently, and within a collaborative team-oriented environment using sound judgment in decision-making
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, time-critical work environment
- Ability to obtain government security clearance required, active clearance a plus
Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
- 15+ years of related experience
- Master’s or Doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent with relevant aeromechanical and/or aerospace simulation expertise
- Experience designing and developing virtual and mixed-reality software
· Experience with various forms of software development and management (Agile, DevOps, etc.)
· Experience with various forms of software configuration management (Git, Mercurial, SVN, etc.)
· Experience with game engines, image generators, and/or flight simulation frameworks (e.g., Unreal, VBS, VRSG, NOR, MSFS, Prepar3D, or X-Plane)
· Experience with programming for and operating multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux/Unix, Android) for embedded, real-time, and non-real-time applications
· Experience developing applications with network interface communication requirements including UDP and TCP/IP on multiple platforms (Windows, Linux/Unix, Android)
· Experience implementing and iteratively improving aerodynamics and system models in common simulation frameworks
· Experience analyzing, building, testing, evaluating, and selecting hierarchies of open-source libraries for inclusion into larger and more complex software structures to address specific design and functionality challenges
· Interest and experience in flight and flight simulation a plus
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
None is required for this position.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Background checks- criminal, civil, employment, and education required. Drug screening in compliance with drug-free workplace standards. Ability to obtain a federal government clearance when required for projects.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Vertex Solutions, LLC is an “Equal Opportunity Employer,” and prohibits, in all employment-related practices and decisions, discrimination, harassment, or prejudicial treatment against any person based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, pregnancy,
childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, age, disability, veteran status, or otherwise as provided by federal, state, or local law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $135,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Security clearance:
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Remote
