Principal Systems Engineer - Ice Protection

Overview

A Principal Systems Engineer - Ice Protection opportunity is available s position is a REMOTE work opportunity, with preference for Wichita, KS. It is available as a full-time direct with full benefits OR part-time employment with agreed upon hours/travel commitment. Great matching candidates will be an Aircraft Ice Protection System Subject Matter Expert (SME) with a minimum of 15-20 years of experience in aircraft ice protection, environmental and thermal systems, ideally including direct experience with Boeing platforms, particularly the B747-8.

The candidate must demonstrate deep expertise in the design, analysis, and integration of multiple ice protection technologies, including bleed air, electric heating, and hybrid systems. The role requires proficiency in bleed air flow modeling, including the ability to calculate engine bleed air extraction and distribution throughout the ice protection system without reliance on OEM proprietary data. The SME should also be adept at reverse-engineering system architecture and performance characteristics using physical inspection, instrumented testing, and derived data.

Experience with electrical power analysis is essential, including the ability to calculate power density (watts per square inch) for electrically heated components such as windshields and sensors based on measured surface areas and current demand. The candidate must be highly knowledgeable of cockpit control logic and annunciation systems, and their integration with subsystem components such as Wing Anti-Ice (WAI), Nacelle Anti-Ice (NAI), Air Data System Probe Ice Protection, Ice Detection Systems, and heated drain masts/lines.

Familiarity with LEWICE3D and CFD tool requirements and results for aero-performance assessment and ice accretion modeling is strongly preferred.

As a SME, the candidate should possess thorough and authoritative knowledge of 14 CFR Part 25 certification requirements, with particular emphasis on §25.1419 and Part 25 Appendix

C. Prior experience with the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) process is a plus. The ideal candidate will demonstrate cross-functional experience with a comprehensive understanding of inter-system interactions, including thermal, pneumatic, flight control, and electrical systems. Familiarity with flight test planning and execution is desired, especially for STC validation testing.

The primary responsibility of this role will be to develop a comprehensive System Description Document (SDD) that fully defines the ice protection systems architecture, operational logic, cockpit control and annunciation behavior, and system performance characteristics of the baseline pre-modification aircraft without having access to OEM proprietary data.

Job Duties:

• Provide B747 expertise and consulting.
• Generate a comprehensive plan for determining all system characteristics without the use of any data from Boeing.
• Define on-aircraft instrumentation requirements for gathering lab, ground and/or flight-testing data.
• Instrument, or instruct supporting on-site engineers, for on-aircraft data collection.
• Identify inputs, outputs, and subsystem interconnects for physical and electrical characteristics.
• Identify communication busses and define standards / protocol interface requirements.
• Work with modeling team to complete an accurate digital twin model for the B747-8 Hydraulics System.

Required Qualifications:

• Must have capability to understand what Ice Protection System characteristics are critical to define as part of the baseline aircraft definition to provide the foundational data for the STC modification.
• Must be willing to travel to customer facility (Dayton and/or Wichita), up to 2 weeks per month, as necessary.
• Ability to evaluate existing subsystem and provide input related to new or modified requirements.
• Must possess excellent communication skills with ability to produce analytical studies or test data supporting existing subsystem and provide modification impact assessment rationale when applicable.
• Ability to work both independently and effectively within a team and participate in a dynamic, rapid paced environment to meet aggressive program goals.
• Bachelor…