Gas Turbine Performance Lead Engineer

About the role

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking an experienced Gas Turbine Performance Lead Engineer to support advanced commercial and military gas turbine engine programs. This role is ideal for a subject matter expert in gas turbine thermodynamics, performance analysis, operability modeling, and NPSS development.

Responsibilities

• Build, debug, refine, and maintain advanced gas turbine thermodynamic models
• Develop both steady-state and transient engine cycle models
• Analyze engine performance, operability, and system behavior across operating conditions
• Support engine definition throughout all phases of the product lifecycle
• Create and maintain high-fidelity models using Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS)
• Develop customer-specific engine models
• Improve model accuracy, robustness, and predictive capability
• Troubleshoot and validate model performance
• Perform requirements analysis and decomposition
• Support model-based engineering activities
• Ensure alignment between customer requirements and engine performance objectives
• Contribute to systems-level decision making
• Drive effective knowledge transfer across engineering teams
• Train and guide engineers in advanced thermodynamic and operability modeling techniques
• Establish modeling best practices and standards
• Present technical findings to:
• Customers
• Engineering leadership
• Program teams
• Executive stakeholders
• Develop technical reports, presentations, and analytical summaries
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively
• Work closely with:
• Systems Engineering
• Design Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Certification Teams
• Program Management
• Work with global engineering programs and customer initiatives

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline
• 7+ years of turbine engine performance and operability modeling experience
• Extensive experience with NPSS (Numerical Propulsion System Simulation), gas turbine thermodynamics, steady-state performance modeling, transient operability analysis, and compressor and turbine matching
• Proven ability to solve complex propulsion system challenges
• U.S. Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert-level understanding of gas turbine engine physics, thermodynamic cycle analysis, engine operability, compressor and turbine matching, and engine transient behavior
• Significant experience building NPSS models from the ground up, debugging complex cycle simulations, and developing customer-facing models
• Experience in MBSE environments and connecting NPSS models with Cameo, Digital engineering frameworks, and Model-based systems engineering tools

Technical Leadership & Knowledge Transfer

• Serve as a technical leader and mentor for NPSS modeling activities
• Drive effective knowledge transfer across engineering teams
• Train and guide engineers in advanced thermodynamic and operability modeling techniques
• Establish modeling best practices and standards

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Systems Engineering, Design Engineering, Controls Engineering, Certification Teams, and Program Management
• Support global engineering programs and customer initiatives

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Deep expertise in gas turbine performance and operability
• Advanced NPSS modeling experience
• Strong steady-state and transient analysis capabilities
• Ability to mentor and elevate engineering teams
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Systems-thinking mindset
• Proven track record solving highly complex propulsion challenges
• Comfortable working independently with significant technical responsibility

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to lead high-visibility aerospace programs
• Work with advanced propulsion technologies
• Influence next-generation commercial and military engines
• Technical leadership and mentoring opportunities
• Collaborative environment with world-class engineering teams

Pay Details

$80.75 per hour

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Additional voluntary benefits
• EAP program
• Commute benefits
• 401K plan

Equal Opportunity Employer

Veterans/Disabled Military connected talent encouraged to apply

Privacy Information

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy