Helo/T56 Performance Engineer

Job Title:  Helo/T56 Performance Engineer

Working Pattern:  Onsite/Hybrid

Working location:  Indianapolis, IN

Turning fuel into power most efficiently within the constraints of safe operation is the aim of our System Performance Engineers.  Your innovative solutions in modeling advanced propulsion cycles, predicting engine performance and analyzing test data will delight our current customers and win new business.  As a System Performance engineer, you will join a highly motivated team exploring new technologies and modeling methods to predict our product behavior and understand the system level dependencies impacting operation.  From early concepts design to development testing through to entry into service and beyond, your models will be used to support resolution of system level issues requiring understanding of propulsion system operation in demanding applications and environments.

Why Rolls-Royce?
Rolls-Royce is one of the most enduring and iconic brands in the world and has been at the forefront of innovation for over a century. We design, build and service systems that provide critical power to customers where safety and reliability are paramount. 

We are proud to be a force for progress, powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. 

We want to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that has shaped our history continues into our future and we need people like you to come and join us on this journey. 

Rolls-Royce has been recognized as the top employer in the Engineering & Manufacturing category on the prestigious Forbes Top Employers for Engineers list for 2025. This ranking highlights our commitment to innovation, employee development, and fostering a collaborative environment where engineers can thrive.

Be part of a team that sets the industry standard and drives groundbreaking solutions. 

At Rolls-Royce, we are committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel respected, supported, and empowered to do their best work. We foster a welcoming and innovative work environment that invests in you, giving you access to an incredible breadth and depth of opportunities where you can grow your career and make a difference.

Rolls-Royce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristics.

What you will be doing

• Performing propulsion cycle analysis and performance predictions by creating computer simulation to satisfy an overall set of system requirements with Steady State and Transient Performance understanding
• Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) experience and ability to train others in Thermodynamics, Test Analysis, and Whole Engine Sensitivities
• Understanding system level issues related to propulsion system design, performance, operability and operation
• Supporting propulsion systems performance testing and publishing technical reports and conducting technical presentation of engineering analysis and results
• Applying appropriate process and technical knowledge to ensure engineering solutions meet customer requirements and ensuring work conducted in the deployed teams is compliant to the engineering processes
• Presenting propulsion systems performance function to customer, both internal and external to Rolls-Royce.

Who we’re looking for:

At Rolls-Royce we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference. These principles form the behaviours that guide us and are an essential component of our assessment process. They are the fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles.

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor`s degree in Engineering, Physics or Mathematics with 2+ years experience in thermodynamics, gas dynamics, fluid mechanics and/or engine design OR
• A Master`s degree in Engineering, Physics or Mathematics with experience in thermodynamics, gas dynamics, fluid mechanics and/or engine design OR
• A PhD in Engineering, Physics or Mathematics with experience in thermodynamics, gas dynamics, fluid mechanics and/or engine design
• Proficiency in computer programming language such as Python, Matlab, Visual Basic, and/or C++
• Knowledge of robust design techniques
• In order to be considered for this opportunity, you must be eligible to obtain and maintain security clearance, which requires USA Citizenship

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience in the performance-related support of the design and/or development of gas turbines
• Simulation/modelling of gas turbine cycles, hybrid electric systems, cycle analysis, engine operability, sizing and/or preliminary design analysis
• Engine cycle design to meet aircraft manufacturer or government objectives including current and future technologies
• NPSS Experience in thermodynamic cycle modelling
• Practiced experience with transient performance, including stability margin accounting and operability test planning and analysis
• Background planning, executing, and analyzing engine tests
• Experience with Functional Data for Design and Design Iteration Processes
• Authoritative knowledge in robust design techniques and visualization including statistical software such as JMP

Behaviors:

• Customer focused
• Creative thinker and pragmatic problem solver
• Strong focus on driving compliance and improvement
• Ability to overcome challenges to complete deliver
• Comfortable with ambiguity - able to define and implement plans that achieve the business intent without being given detailed instruction.
• Good communicator with a positive outlook when presented with challenges
• Committed to through life learning for self and the team

What we offer
We offer excellent development opportunities, a competitive salary, and exceptional benefits. These include bonus, employee support assistance and employee discounts.

Your needs are as unique as you are. Hybrid working is a way in which our people can balance their time between the office, home, or another remote location.  It’s a locally managed and flexed informal discretionary arrangement.  As a minimum we’re all expected to attend the workplace for collaboration and other specific reasons, on average three days per week. 

Pay Range: $70,629 - $105,943

Job Posting expires: 6/25/25

Relocation is not available for this position.

Benefits

Rolls-Royce provides a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that includes base pay and a discretionary bonus plan. Eligible employees may have the opportunity to enroll in other benefits, including health, dental, vision, disability, life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance; a flexible spending account; a health savings account; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match; Employee Assistance Program; Paid Time Off; certain paid holidays; paid parental and family care leave; tuition reimbursement; and a long-term incentive plan. The options available to an employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as date of hire, employment type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.