WIND TUNNEL ENGINEER

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has an outstanding opportunity for Wind Tunnel Engineer

The Wind Tunnel Engineer provides expertise in the aerodynamic effects that influence wind tunnel data in order to guide customers with planning and executing wind tunnel test campaigns. They oversee the daily operations of wind tunnel testing carried out by the undergraduate student crew. As the Lead Aerodynamics Engineer, they are chiefly responsible for interpreting aerodynamic data, applying wind tunnel data corrections, troubleshooting data anomalies, and providing final corrected data sets to customers in a timely manner. Under the supervision of the Wind Tunnel General Manager, this position is responsible for ensuring equipment is calibrated and maintained in order to provide high quality and repeatable data, maintaining Federal export control and ITAR regulations, Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) with test customers, and securing data, as specified by contractual agreements.

Wind Tunnel Aerodynamic Data Processing
• Apply thorough understanding of aerodynamic principles to monitor wind tunnel tests for data quality and accuracy during testing and in post processing.
• Process and reduce experimental data sets for clients, including data quality control.
• Develop, maintain, and update wind tunnel data reduction software in MATLAB, Python, C++ and/or Visual Basic.
• Use wind tunnel data correction methods to achieve meaningful deliverables to wind tunnel testing clients.
• Possess strong understanding of wind tunnel model setup, maintenance, and scale effects that influence data accuracy.
• Utilize understanding of the aerodynamic effects that may influence  wind tunnel data to troubleshoot hardware and software.
• Evaluate existing test systems, methods, data acquisition, etc. and recommend improvements.
• Manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Produce written reports for wind tunnel clients in a timely manner.

Wind Tunnel Test Operations
• Interact with wind tunnel customers to determine test needs, specifications, and scope of data collection and use knowledge of aerodynamic principles to guide planning and execution of thorough, high quality wind tunnel test campaigns.
• Supervise student crew in daily tunnel operations including handling, installing, and adjusting wind tunnel models, operating wind tunnel, and executing data reduction programs.
• Hire and train new student crew cohort each year in collaboration with General Manager and student Crew Chiefs
• Apply basic principles of electrical engineering through the use of oscilloscopes, multimeters, data acquisition equipment, frequency counters, signal generators, and similar test equipment.
• Document service and design specifications using CAD, wiring schematics, circuits, diagrams, illustrations and written instructions.
• Secure and follow standards and procedures to ensure safety in all aspects of the operation of the KWT.
• Provide professional customer service through effective and courteous interactions with clients, colleagues and the campus community.
• Maintain data integrity through regular calibration and maintenance of external balance, fan motor and blades, motion control hardware and software, and other wind tunnel equipment in collaboration with other wind tunnel engineering staff.
• Identify, interpret and follow policies and procedures (academic, federal, state and other).
• Regularly operate or use electronics benchtop test equipment, test support fixtures (stands) or electro-mechanical test fixtures, compressed gases, hand tools and machine-shop equipment (e.g. mill, lathe, drill press, precision measuring tools), hoist and rigging equipment.

Professional Growth
Professional development is very important to the culture of the department and it is essential that employees demonstrate accountability for their own professional growth and competency by seeking opportunities and activities that improve skills to support the department.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering or similar from an accredited engineering program and at least 3 years experience in an aerospace test laboratory environment.
• Thorough understanding of applied aerodynamics and the aerodynamic effects that influence wind tunnel data.
• Familiarity with wind tunnel testing techniques (tare and interference testing, flow visualization, ground plane testing, wake surveys, etc).
• Proficiency in at least one of the following: MATLAB, Python, C++, VisualBasic
• Must be a United States Citizen, due to frequent access to technology covered by Federal export control and ITAR regulations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work alone and as part of an engineering team

DESIRED

• Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering or commensurate experience
• Knowledge of, and experience with, electrical and electronics principles and the ability to apply those principles through the use of oscilloscopes, multimeters, data acquisition equipment, frequency counters, signal generators, and similar test equipment.
• Proficiency with electronics, circuit design, and soldering.
• Understanding and implementation of export controls and ITAR.
• Knowledge of, and experience with software development.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, compressed gas plumbing, pressure regulators, and typical compressed gas applications.
• Proficiency with at least a few of the following engineering software products: Solidworks, NX, AutoCAD, CATIA, MATLAB, GNU-Octave, Mathematica, LabVIEW, Visual Studio, Arduino.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, science experimentation products such as lasers, optics, pressure gauges, flow control devices, actuators, servo motors, transducers, and accelerometers.
• Experience fabricating with aerospace materials and/or testing aerospace structures.
• Experience working with and managing students.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.