Seat Engineer

JOB SUMMARY:

Robinson Helicopter Company is a leading manufacturer of civil rotorcraft with a 50-year history of providing affordable helicopters for a wide range of applications. Robinson is an engineering focused organization that provides challenging and exciting opportunities to contribute to the future of vertical flight.

The Seat Design Engineer is a member of the engineering team who is responsible for the design, development, and certification of helicopter seats which meet safety, weight, and cost objectives.  This role requires technical expertise in structures, dynamics, manufacturing, and human factors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the design and development of seating solutions including seat structures, functional mechanisms, foam, and covers from concept through detailed engineering and production release.
• Ensure human factors requirements are met including defining the H-point and eye point, and evaluation of kinematics, reach envelopes, ergonomics, and usability.
• Design and optimize Energy Attenuation (EA) systems to meet the requirements of 14 CFR 27.562.
• Conduct numerical simulations to predict structural integrity, restraint geometry, and head strike (LS-DYNA, MADYMO).
• Conduct user evaluations of proposed seat designs.
• Create detail, assembly, and installation design definitions using CAD software.
• Oversee the development and manufacturing of prototype articles.
• Develop requirements, specifications, and processes including material selection.
• Identify, plan, and lead tests for components and assemblies in the laboratory, ground, and flight test environment as necessary to include test planning, conformity, instrumentation, test conduct, data analysis, and issue resolution. 
• Validate that designs meet customer expectations, design objectives, and the requirements of 14 CFR Part 27.
• Interface with suppliers to identify solutions to design problems, establish requirements, and ensure requirements are satisfied.
• Report on project status, schedules, and risks.
• Develop processes and tools to improve the effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of the work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering or equivalent work experience.
• Direct experience designing seating including human factors consideration.
• Direct experience with computer aided design and modeling with a focus on design for manufacturing and the application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (Solidworks or CATIA).
• Strong understanding of structures, loads, and mechanical systems.
• Must be a proven self-starter requiring minimal supervision, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent academic record.
• Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Team-oriented, possess a positive attitude, and work well with others.

• Experience with seat design, fabrication, integration, development, and testing for aircraft applications.
• Deep understanding of aircraft certification requirements in 14 CFR Part 23/25/27/29.
• Direct experience with non-linear crash simulation (LS-DYNA) and multi-body simulation (MADYMO).

Pay Range: $105,000 - $150,000 annually