Hypersonics Wind Tunnel Engineer

We're seeking a full-time Hypersonics Wind Engineer to join the Hypersonics research group at the Department of Engineering Science, Osney. The post is funded by a Research Facility and is Open Ended.

The successful applicant will become the main engineering support for the high-speed wind tunnels based at the Oxford Thermofluids Institute: the T6 Stalker Tunnel and the High Density Tunnel. These facilities, which form part of the National Wind Tunnel Facility (NWTF), are subject to a busy schedule covering a spectrum of aerospace testing, from fundamental research to applied industrial work.

The tunnels themselves are medium-scale hypersonic facilities utilising high-pressure pneumatic systems to generate impulses of highly supersonic flow (up to 19.9km/s). The resulting test environments are analogous to that experienced by spacecraft, planetary probes or spaceplanes, which may be applied to scale models, to study heating and aerodynamic problems.

The successful applicant will join the technical team that manage, operate, and use the wind tunnels within a large research group (around 25-30 students and academic staff). They will work closely with the Hypersonics Operations Manager, who oversees the planning and undertaking of all experiments and tunnel modifications, as well as the Tunnel Operator, who maintains, prepares and runs the test facilities, and oversees day-to-day use of the lab. There are also tunnel assistants to support the wind-tunnel activities. The successful candidate will work alongside the on-site Mechanical workshop and facilities teams, as well as external suppliers and contractors to co-ordinate tunnel related jobs.

In this role, the Tunnel Engineer is responsible for carrying out engineering design projects to support the development of the tunnels and their supporting systems, as well as contributing to improving test equipment and experimental methodologies. This will include organising the manufacture, assembly and installation of new hardware, and the capture of technical information in design reports and other documentation. The Tunnel engineer can expect to participate in commissioning tests on the facilities, supporting other experimenters during their test campaigns. They will also act as a secondary operator, firing the tunnel(s) for internal academic projects and external clients. Responsibilities will include supporting the general maintenance, setup and configuration activities in the laboratory, and assisting in ensuring a safe, tidy, well organised, and well stocked working environment.

We're a small team, so there is flexibility to tailor the role and provide training to a candidate who may have a variety of additional transferable skills. For example, operating other engineering facilities or industrial plant processes, as part of a multi-disciplinary team. This is reflected in the wide range of ‘desirable’ (i.e. optional) selection criteria.

We look forward to your application, and request that your cover letter includes a brief outline of how you can demonstrate that you fulfil each of essential criteria. If you meet one or more of the desirable criteria, please highlight these too.

Please see: Hypersonics Wind Tunnel Operator for a related employment opportunity.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to chris.hambidge@eng.ox.ac.uk.

For more information about working at the Department, see www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us.

Only online applications received before midday on can be considered. You'll be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

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