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Calspan

Calspan

Aerospace and automotive R&D testing partner

Associate Principal Engineer - Aero/Acoustics

Full-TimeDeadline 8/14/27
$120k - $160k/yr
Expert
Master's
St Paul, MN, USA
In Person

Travel of approximately 30% is required.

No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • A Master’s degree in aeroacoustics, vibration, aerodynamics, or a related discipline is preferred.
  • At least 10 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is preferred.
  • Hands-on airflow and acoustic measurement experience in test cell environments is preferred.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in aeroacoustics, fluid dynamics, and statistics are preferred.
  • Knowledge of jet noise, vibration, infrasound, noise conversion, and compressible flows is preferred.
  • Familiarity with fast Fourier transforms, microphones and vibration measurement, dynamic data acquisition, computational fluid dynamics, MATLAB, and LabVIEW is preferred.
  • All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.
Responsibilities
  • Provide aerodynamic and acoustic design solutions, concepts, analyses, and calculations for jet engine test cells used in ground test facilities.
  • Support sales and marketing quotations with trade-offs, analyses, and recommendations for optimal and cost-effective solutions.
  • Partner with team members to perform aerodynamic and acoustic field surveys of existing facilities and assist in commissioning and validating new test facilities.
  • Prepare technical proposals and reports as required.
  • Present at conferences or customer sites.
Desired Qualifications
  • Ability to travel approximately 30%.

About the company

Calspan acts as a research and testing partner for aerospace and automotive innovators, helping turn bold concepts into viable commercial products. It conducts aerodynamic and flight testing, including hypersonics, and provides R&D, T&E engineering, and manufacturing solutions, all supported by a network of U.S. facilities and test centers. The company differentiates itself by offering end-to-end testing and development capabilities across multiple locations—airborne testing, wind tunnel and aerodynamic modeling, pilot training, and engineering services—covering both ground and air applications. Its goal is to accelerate the world’s greatest innovations by validating designs, reducing development time, and enabling safe, reliable product deployment in land, air, and space domains.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$1.5M

Headquarters

Buffalo, New York

Founded

1943

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Calspan won a five-year USNTPS Learjet contract on February 20, 2026.
  • Taiwan's TNCAP certification opens recurring validation demand from global automakers in 2026.
  • Autonomy Flight Test Center expanded in 2026 as CCA and AI testing budgets surged.

What critics are saying

  • TransDigm sold Calspan Aero Systems Engineering to Cerberus in May 2024, shrinking defense scope.
  • Calspan still depends on contract wins like USNTPS, risking lumpy revenue after 2027.
  • North Wind now competes on hypersonic testing, eroding Calspan's historical technical moat.

What makes Calspan unique

  • Calspan runs ISO/IEC 17025 automotive labs and autonomous flight-test platforms in Buffalo.
  • Its ExPERT Learjet platform supports AI, autonomy, MUM-T, and surrogate aircraft testing.
  • Only North American lab certified for full-scope TNCAP testing in January 2026.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance/Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Bereavement Leave

Jury Duty

Military Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Educational Assistance Reimbursement

Pet Insurance

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

2%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

1%
The Business Journals
Apr 24th, 2024
Peter Sauer takes Calspan experience into commercial development

Calspan hired Steve Federico as head of development and construction 10 years ago so those projects could stay in-house.

Mason & Hanger
Dec 5th, 2023
Construction Progress on NASA's New Flight Dynamics Research Facility

Mason & Hanger is working on the design-build contract in partnership with BL Harbert International (BLHI) and Calspan Aero Systems Engineering, Inc.

PR Newswire
May 8th, 2023
TransDigm Completes Acquisition of Calspan Corporation

/PRNewswire/ -- TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE: TDG) today announced it has successfully completed its acquisition of Calspan Corporation ("Calspan" or...

MANavigator
Mar 15th, 2023
M & A Navigator

Ohio, US-based aircraft components supplier TransDigm Group Inc. (NYSE: TDG) has agreed to acquire New York-based testing and technology development services provider Calspan Corp., focussed on the aerospace and defence industry, the company said.

Calspan
Jan 28th, 2022
Calspan Corporation partners with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

Calspan has been an integral partner with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on their Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program.