Research Aerospace Engineer, AST, Airbreathing Propulsion Systems (Direct Hire)
Langley Research CenterAs a research aerospace engineer in the Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion Branch at NASA Langley Research Center, you will be working to apply experimental methods and advanced measurement techniques to experimentally investigate the performance and operability of high-speed propulsive components and flowpaths. This includes test formulation, test planning, test execution and data analysis to determine operability limits and performance metrics of interest.Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.Conduct experimental research relevant to engine cycles used for hypersonic airbreathing propulsion (e.g. ramjet, dual-mode ramjet, scramjet, turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC), and rocket-based combined cycle (RBCC)).Execute hypersonic propulsion experiments that include: investigations of fundamental flow physics, tests of individual engine components, and subscale demonstrations of full engine flowpaths, for the engine cycles listed above.Identify measurementrequirements to select appropriate instrumentation for high enthalpy combusting and non-combusting flows (i.e. wall pressures, intrusive probe measurements, and non-intrusive optical diagnostics).Collect/analyze experimental data to extract performance metrics at the component level (i.e. inlet, isolator, combustor, nozzle) and vehicle level (i.e. integrated engine performance). Write software to display and post-process experimental data.Perform thermodynamic engine cycle analysis in support of experimental testing.Analyze propulsion system data in support of hypersonic airbreathing flight research projects.Successfully collaborate with other research disciplines (e.g., computational fluid dynamics (CFD), advanced diagnostics, vehicle and systems design/analysis) and test facility staff (engineers, technicians, and safety personnel).Document work in technical publications and present results to technical audiences within the U.S. hypersonics community (NASA, DoD, industry, and academia).
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