Performance Engineer

Job Overview

The Performance Engineer plays a crucial role in overseeing the operational performance of flight operations, ensuring compliance with safety standards and regulations while optimizing efficiency. This position concentrates on aircraft performance parameters, managing degradation, and defining operational constraints. Key duties involve procedure development, administration of flight operation systems, and maintaining operational protocols. The engineer ensures accuracy and currency of aircraft performance data and systems in accordance with manufacturer and regulatory guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive ongoing enhancements in operational workflow and processes.
• Deliver technical operational data and reporting related to aircraft performance, weight and balance, navigation, fuel management, and efficiency grounded in civil aviation regulations, aircraft manuals, and organizational procedures.
• Develop and assess special operational procedures including escape routes, engine-out procedures (SID, MA), RNAV, MA, GNSS, RNP, RNP-AR, and VRNAV.
• Engage in fleet-related studies and analyses to evaluate operational options and implications.
• Oversee aircraft performance monitoring for degradation assessment and investigate causes of performance variations.
• Ensure adherence and promote compliance with aviation safety policies, standards, and best practices within the company.
• Conduct airport studies to assess characteristics and operational constraints.
• Manage flight operations databases and systems, including data maintenance, validation, coding of operational procedures, and terrain database oversight.
• Serve as liaison with internal teams and external providers for operational systems and data services.
• Support and coordinate technical aspects of flight operations for company stakeholders, including system support, aircraft performance, and procedural updates.
• Administer procedure limitations for takeoff and landing based on airport criteria, climb gradient validations, and other regulatory requirements.
• Manage all software, services, and configurations related to flight operations performance functions.
• Assist in preparation and support for operational audits conducted by QA, DGAC, IOSA, and other regulatory bodies.
• Produce technical research, investigations, and reports to inform about operational limits, procedures, efficiencies, and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent from an accredited university preferred; diploma holders with extensive experience and credible results may also apply.
• Completion of aircraft manufacturer-specific “Performance Engineering” training is mandatory.
• In-depth knowledge of software development workflows, data analytics technologies, and engineering tools related to performance assessment.
• Comprehensive understanding of fuel emission standards, related regulations, and aviation sector topics.
• Familiarity with Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) systems and relevant regulations.
• Expertise in fuel efficiency strategies and aviation industry best practices.
• Knowledge of weight and balance engineering and optimization techniques.
• Proficiency in datalink technologies and ARINC standard-based communication systems.
• Strong expertise in aircraft performance and operational procedure design; experience with European and Middle Eastern airspace is advantageous.
• Excellent communication abilities, including technical writing and presentation skills.

Experience Requirements

• At least five years of professional experience within the Flight Engineering domain at an airline or aircraft manufacturing firm as a certified Flight Operations Engineer; preference for candidates with exposure to low-cost carriers.
• Experience with a dispatch license is considered an asset.
• Extensive background in performance engineering activities such as modelling, tuning, diagnostics, and monitoring.
• Sound knowledge of Civil Aviation Authorities’ regulations including ICAO, CAR, FAR, JAR, IOSA, and local authorities.
• Familiar with quality assurance, safety, and security practices linked to flight operations.
• Ability to enforce compliance with approved policies and standard operating procedures.
• Comfortable working within matrix organizational structures and managing competing priorities.
• Adaptable to dynamic environments with high workloads and responsive to unplanned situations.
• Strong analytical skills with a keen eye for detail, capable of identifying issues and proposing viable solutions.
• Self-motivated and quick to learn, capable of working independently with minimal supervision.