Simulator Engineer – Mobile, AL

  Company:
  Industry:

Aero Simulation Inc.
Aerospace

Bachelor’s degree in aerodynamics, electrical, or computer engineering, or related field.

General:  Design, development, integration, and testing of simulation models and corresponding hardware and software, for flight simulators. Assist with operation, modification, and maintenance of flight simulators.  Troubleshoots and repairs hardware and software on complex training devices.

Detailed: Flight Simulator Modification Engineer – The Flight Simulator Modification Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and testing of one or more simulator-related systems.  These systems may replicate actual aircraft systems, avionics systems, and aerodynamics of the system, or be more closely related to systems required for the simulation of the real-world environment or be required to execute the overall simulation system.  Depending on complexity and experience and or knowledge, the Flight Simulator Modification Engineer may be responsible for the entire design including both hardware and software design.  He/she will provide input and or hardware diagrams to the Electrical/Mechanical Engineers, to provide enough detail to develop the systems’ electrical and mechanical design and drawings.  The Flight Simulator Modification Engineer will review those drawings for correctness.  He/she will provide the interface requirements and if applicable deliver those to the engineer responsible for the computer and or other simulation systems.  He/she will develop the test criteria for the system.  The software will be designed and developed by the Flight Simulator

Modification Engineer and compiled into the test load.  All interfaces between the assigned system and other simulator systems will be designed in concert with the engineer(s) responsible for those systems.  The following provides a brief description of the specific systems to which the Flight Simulator Modification Engineer may be assigned, tasked, and or exposed to:

•  Avionics Systems – The avionics systems engineer will be assigned one or more systems within which replicate the avionics of the aircraft to be simulated.  These systems include; communications (radios and ICS), navigation (GPS, TACAN, VOR, etc.), defensive systems (chaff, flares, ECM, etc.), offensive systems (bombs, torpedoes, missiles, etc.), and other systems which may be applicable (GPWS, TCAS, IFF, etc.).
•  Aircraft Systems – The aircraft systems engineer will be assigned one or more systems related to the functioning of the aircraft.  These systems include; electrical, fuel, hydraulics, pneumatics, etc.  The aircraft systems engineer will work closely with the avionics systems and aerodynamics engineer to ensure that resources required by those systems (bus power, circuit breaker status, fuel, oil, etc.) are supplied correctly.
•  Aerodynamics Systems – The aerodynamics systems engineer is responsible for ensuring that the simulated aircraft flies like the actual aircraft.  This includes ensuring that the engines operate correctly, the equations of motion reproduce the motion characteristics of the aircraft, the atmosphere is modeled correctly, the simulator operates correctly as it reacts with the simulated surface of the earth, etc.  The aerodynamics systems engineer will develop the Automatic Fidelity Tests required to test the aircraft dynamics.
• Computer Systems – The computer systems engineer is responsible for ensuring that all critical operations of the simulator respond in a real-time manner and/or that the Instructor Operator Station (IOS) provides all the control needed by the Instructor or Operator to effectively control the operation of the simulator.  He/she may be required to provide interfaces to the operating system of the host computer, interfaces to various peripheral components (control loading, Real-Time input/output, visual system, etc.) or to develop/modify the IOS.
•  Visual Systems – The visual systems engineer will provide the interface and control with the visual system and/or radar system of the simulator.  This will include interfacing closely with the vendor of these systems to ensure that the Out-the-window, Digital Radar Landmass, or Weather Radar accurately depicts the view the aircrew would see in the actual aircraft.  This task may include writing the Statement of Work for the vendor, selecting the vendor, and interfacing with the vendor to ensure compliance with the contract.

While each of these functions appears to be well defined, there are times when an engineer assigned to or tasked in one discipline may be required to handle systems more clearly defined within another functional discipline.    Also, in addition to the activities defined above, there may be times when an engineer is assigned the task of developing proposals and or change request material within their discipline. An engineer in training, with appropriate education and interest, may be considered also.

Additional duties will include assisting flight simulator technicians in the operation, set up, checkout, and troubleshooting of various flight training devices.

• Bachelor’s degree in aerodynamics, electrical, or computer engineering, or related field.
• Engineering Interns/Engineer in training status candidates may be considered.
• Programming experience in C/C++ or other high-level languages is a plus.
• Experiences with Aircraft, Avionics, and Aviation are a plus.
• Possesses excellent communication skills, ability to deal with customers at all levels.
• Very good organization and time management skills to support multiple projects in parallel.
• Must be able to work in a collaborative, team environment, or independently, as necessary, and be a self-starter who will resolve problems effectively and efficiently.
• Strong attention to detail and good interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of common software programs used to communicate to others in an engineering environment such as Microsoft Windows Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

•  Must be a US Citizen and obtain a Department of Defense security clearance at the Secret level.
• Available for limited travel and occasional overtime
• Fluent in English
• The position will require off-shift working hours and is located in Mobile, Alabama

•  Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• Required to sit, stand, and walk; and use hands to finger, handle or feel and manipulate keyboard keys, objects, or controls.
• Required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and to stoop and kneel. The employee must be able to ingress/egress from the simulator (which may require repeated climbing, crawling, and twisting movements on a regular basis).
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. While performing essential functions the employee must have the ability to accurately read text on computer terminals, cable markings, trainer assemblies, and other equipment or written materials.
• The candidate must be able to work in small, confined spaces (simulator cockpits).

•  The noise level ranges from low to moderate.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities.