Join Calspan's Flight Operations team and play a key role in supporting advanced aerospace research and flight test programs. As a Senior Aircraft Mechanic, you will perform and oversee maintenance, inspections, modifications, and installations on a diverse fleet of experimental and research aircraft. Working closely with engineers, pilots, and test teams, you will ensure aircraft are maintained to the highest standards of safety, airworthiness, and regulatory compliance while supporting the integration and testing of cutting-edge aerospace technologies. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to innovative flight research projects from concept development through flight test execution.
Responsibilities- Design and support the fabrication, and integration of prototype test articles and other unique aircraft modifications and installations to Calspan’s fleet of airborne test beds. These designs include structural, outer mold-line, and cabin modifications.
- Document new designs by using advanced 2D and 3D CAD tools to create detailed component and assembly models and drawings.
- Develop and execute strategies for achieving airworthiness approval for aircraft modifications. This includes loads analysis methods, structural substantiation methods, flight envelope restrictions or a combination of other qualitative or quantitative analysis methods.
- Support flight test activities by generating airworthiness documentation packages that include drawings, analysis reports, and test plans.
- Interact and coordinate with team members of varying disciplines in a professional and efficient manner.
Preferred Education / Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
- 5+ years of experience in the design and analysis of structural components, preferably aircraft structures or aircraft mechanical system or;
- A combination of education and experience equivalent to above
Preferred Knowledge / Ability:
- Proficiency with 2D and 3D CAD software – preferably NX.
- Experience with finite element analysis.
- Proficiency with classical structural analysis methods and techniques.
- Technical report writing – including test plans and procedures.
- Training and mentoring entry level engineers.
- Engineering design process principles, including requirements development, design reviews and formal release processes.
At Calspan, we want you to feel supported from day one. Our team members enjoy affordable, competitive benefits; four weeks of PTO; 10 company holidays; onsite training; and opportunities to build skills, grow your career, and make an impact.
Calspan is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Calspan supports safe and drug free workplace through pre-employment background checks and drug testing.
The salary range provided is a general guideline. Actual pay will depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and other applicable qualifications. Calspan is committed to pay transparency in compliance with applicable state and local laws.
All candidates must be 18 years of age or older, and eligible to work in the United States without requiring now or in the future Visa Sponsorship.
Salary Range (min)USD $97,000.00/Yr. Salary Range (max)USD $120,000.00/Yr.Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
- At least 5 years of experience designing and analyzing structural components, preferably aircraft structures or aircraft mechanical systems
- Equivalent combination of education and experience
- Proficiency with 2D and 3D CAD software, preferably NX
- Experience with finite element analysis
- Proficiency with classical structural analysis methods and techniques
- Technical report writing, including test plans and procedures
- Experience training and mentoring entry-level engineers
- Knowledge of engineering design processes, requirements development, design reviews, and formal release processes
- Eligibility to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship
- At least 18 years of age
What We Do
In order to develop the world’s greatest innovations, our customers must overcome many technical challenges to transform their creative concept, into a commercially viable product. To resolve such roadblocks, innovators within the aerospace, automotive, commercial transportation, and motorsports industries seek out the assistance of Calspan. Through our collaborative and flexible approach, diverse skill sets, and unique assets, we assist these innovators by conducting research, testing, and evaluations that accelerate development and reduce time to market. Calspan's diverse workforce has locations all across the country. The transportation division and main corporate headquarters are located in Buffalo, NY and the headquarters for Flight Operations are located in Niagara Falls, NY. Additional test pilot training locations include Patuxent River, MD, and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. The Crash Data Research division has breakout locations in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Calspan Systems provides RDT&E engineering and manufacturing solutions with sites located in located in Newport News and Hampton, VA, San Diego, CA and Ronkonkoma NY. The ASE team provides a host of aerodynamic solutions located in St. Paul MN.
