Aircraft Design

Job Description Aircraft Design & Performance Engineer Full time Derby An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Aircraft Design & Performance Engineer to join the Rolls‑Royce Future Platforms team in Derby. Why Rolls‑Royce? At Rolls‑Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls‑Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world‑class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high‑performance culture. The Aircraft Design & Performance Engineer role is about being one of 2‑3 aircraft and vehicle performance engineers in the Rolls‑Royce Future Platforms team, part of Group R&T, tasked with developing and maintaining aircraft, aerodynamics and noise capabilities and engaging with internal/external aircraft and performance stakeholders to investigate and appraise novel systems & aircraft. Specific activities likely to include prop/open‑fan integration, corresponding aircraft performance assessment, methodologies towards BWB/TWB or the design of all‑electric assets, in support of RR Core Strategy and Futureproofing. This activity will involve close collaborations with peers in Civil, Defence and in other businesses. Future Platforms is part of Central Group R&T, providing long‑term technology outlook to the organisation, influencing R&T investment and external stakeholders (ranging from airframes to policy makers), supporting the business in engaging external airframes in the beyond‑business‑as‑usual and maintaining an outlook on disruptive technology/platforms/market threats and opportunities. The activity is inherently collaborative and broad with finality the triaging of technical options and the early development of suitable novel assessment methods. The team designed the Rolls‑Royce eVTOL a decade ago but also gave birth to the company Hydrogen Accelerator programme, which it still supports. It collaborates with its peers at Boeing, Embraer, Dassault and others including airlines and airports. To provide sound knowledge in Aircraft Design & Performance and Systems Design Integration, being responsible for and having knowledge in problem resolution, defining requirements; designing and integrating products, physical & functional systems & product systems; performing technical analysis; assessing vehicle performance; verifying products, physical & functional systems and components throughout the product lifecycle. What you will be doing: Apply understanding of aircraft/vehicle/system, performance to design and/or appraise new concepts technically, operationally and, ideally, economically Develop & maintain tool capability is aircraft ad aerodynamics performance in the beyond business as usual (e.g. BWB, TBW, open fan aircraft, electric aircraft) Apply understanding of gas turbine product and other powerplant operation, product systems, sub‑systems and interactions. Integrate and manage interfaces Design of systems using Systems Engineering principals including the use of Robust Design tools & techniques to achieve optimum solutions at product and sub‑system level; this could include prop/fan work and impact on noise for example Applying knowledge of the importance of determining, managing & flowing system level requirements Planning and management of product change, design technical approval and technical investigations Verifying that the system meets the requirements and ownership of standardisation reports. Position qualifications: Bachelor's degree or Master's in Engineering or regionally equivalent qualification, or equivalent experience Preferred requirements: Strong technical knowledge in aircraft design/performance and mechanical design methodologies and understand cross‑discipline engineering concepts which include but are not limited to manufacturing engineering, aerodynamics, thermodynamics, thermal and mechanical analysis, cost engineering and product definition. An ability to apply logical, analytical and innovative thinking on a range of technical problems and make balanced decisions across technical and business parameters Knowledge and experience of product integrity / liability and certification What we offer: We offer excellent development opportunities, a competitive salary, and exceptional benefits. These include bonus, employee support assistance and employee discounts. Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi‑year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls‑Royce into a high‑performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too. Rolls‑Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non‑discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive. Closing date: 10th December 2025 As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided. #J-18808-Ljbffr