Hypersonics Wind Tunnel Engineer

We are 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 are 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 the linked job advert for 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 will
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.





Hypersonics, Engineer, Wind Tumnels, CAD, Mechanical Design



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