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Req #: 246214

Department: AERONAUTICS & ASTRONAUTICS

Appointing Department Web Address: https://www.aa.washington.edu/AERL/KWT

Job Location Detail: Occasional hybrid mostly on-site

Posting Date: 05/22/2025

Closing Info:

Open Until Filled

Salary: 50% of $8,681 - $18,383 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes:

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-contract-covered-exempt-20250130-a11y.pdf)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics (A&A) within the College of Engineering has an outstanding opportunity for a part-time (50% FTE) Wind Tunnel Director This position requires extensive Wind Tunnel and aerodynamicist experience. It supports both ongoing federal research as well as the Kirsten Wind Tunnel, a self-sustaining testing center within the department. This position is focused on ensuring the strategic plan for the KWT is met. Tasks include technical directions and oversight and business development.

The Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics offers the only aerospace degree program in the Pacific Northwest, a region whose aerospace industry has been a major contributor to the technological development, economic vitality and the security of the United States. Our faculty, students and alumni are at the nexus of new space, and are creating the future of automated aerospace manufacturing, novel aerospace materials, and autonomous aerospace systems.

The KWT is a self-supporting auxiliary enterprise housed within UW A&A that provides commercial and academic testing in a subsonic wind tunnel located on the central Seattle campus of the University of Washington. Built in 1936, it is led by a staff engineer/manager, staff engineers, and a crew of undergraduate employees who gain practical experience by running tests.

The operating entity that provides services is the University of Washington Aeronautical Lab (UWAL). The UW Board of Regents approved naming the physical facility the Kirsten Aeronautical Laboratory to honor Professor F. K. Kirsten in 1948, although "Kirsten Wind Tunnel" gets more usage than "Kirsten Aeronautical Laboratory."

Job Description:

The William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics (A&A) within the College of Engineering has an outstanding opportunity for a part-time (50% FTE) Wind Tunnel Director This position requires extensive Wind Tunnel and aerodynamicist experience. It supports both ongoing federal research as well as the Kirsten Wind Tunnel, a self-sustaining testing center within the department. This position is focused on ensuring the strategic plan for the KWT is met. Tasks include technical directions and oversight and business development.

The Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics offers the only aerospace degree program in the Pacific Northwest, a region whose aerospace industry has been a major contributor to the technological development, economic vitality and the security of the United States. Our faculty, students and alumni are at the nexus of new space, and are creating the future of automated aerospace manufacturing, novel aerospace materials, and autonomous aerospace systems.

The KWT is a self-supporting auxiliary enterprise housed within UW A&A that provides commercial and academic testing in a subsonic wind tunnel located on the central Seattle campus of the University of Washington. Built in 1936, it is led by a staff engineer/manager, staff engineers, and a crew of undergraduate employees who gain practical experience by running tests.

The operating entity that provides services is the University of Washington Aeronautical Lab (UWAL). The UW Board of Regents approved naming the physical facility the Kirsten Aeronautical Laboratory to honor Professor F. K. Kirsten in 1948, although "Kirsten Wind Tunnel" gets more usage than "Kirsten Aeronautical Laboratory."

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** Technical Direction and Oversight

+ Technical leadership to ensure testing integrity and data quality

+ Regularly verify flow characteristics (angularity, turbulence intensity, boundary layer) by creating and implementing test plan and procedures to be executed with help of tunnel staff and crew

+ Recommend tunnel improvement projects related to instrumentation, data analysis, technical processes, and infrastructure needs in consideration of maintaining competitive and industry-relevant technical capability for commercial testing and academic research

+ Plan, schedule, conduct or coordinate detailed phases of work for major projects (e.g, renovation projects, equipment relocation).

+ Expert consultation

+ Attend meetings with customers, as needed, to advise about test planning

+ Provide aerodynamic consultation during testing to assist customers with troubleshooting data anomalies and making test plan recommendations

+ Meet with staff and crew, as needed, to provide technical guidance on maintenance and upgrade projects

+ Serve as Wind Tunnel Advisory Committee Chair

+ Host quarterly meetings focused on business, research, and technical alignment with industry needs and research/educational mission

+ With input from Advisory Committee, create and maintain wind tunnel strategic planBusiness Development

+ Develop and maintain sustainable business plan

+ Serve as key leader with the Associate Chair for Research to develop a sustainable business plan for KWT facilities

+ Execute target communication with users, direct internal and external communications with measurable objectives driven by the business plan

+ Meet progressive fundraising targets set in the business plan

+ Expand revenue sources

+ Broaden user base by identifying and marketing to new potential industry customers

+ Apply for grants as lead or participant, take advantage of state and federal funding opportunities

+ Offer industry training, workshops, student engagement opportunities

+ Represent KWT Externally

+ Attend technical meetings, conferences, trade shows, etc

+ Participate in external seminars, workshops, professional societies, and committees

+ Represent KWT in campus activities, outreach events, seminars, networking events, and tours for federal and state legislators, advisory council members, and funding agenciesStaff Supervision

+ Hire and manage performance of technical reports according to Department and University best practices and standards

+ Develop and maintain procedures for staff onboarding and offboarding

+ Provide leadership that supports teamwork and a motivated workforce

+ Forecast staffing needs and advise Chair and Associate Chair on short and long term staffing arrangements

+ Ensure tunnel is managed, staffed, and supervised properly

+ Advise staff on objectives, projects, and prioritization of technical challenges.

+ Ensure regulatory compliance (FLSA, FMLA, EEO, and ADA). **MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS**

+ Master Degree in Engineering or other relevant field

+ 4 years experience with wind tunnels or relevant experience **Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.** **ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS**

+ Able to:operate devices with control knobs/switches/touchscreens.Be ableuse both hands for grasping and carryinglift 35 poundswalk over uneven surfacesclimb ladders.

+ Able to tolerate personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gas masks, and gloves.

+ Able to work in environments that may have the odors of safe levels of industrial chemicals such as acetone, kerosene, petroleum distillates, epoxies, etc.

+ Able to work during the day and some evenings and/or weekends, with, possibly, sometimes, two shifts.

+ Demonstrated ability to manage competing projects and multiple deadlines and priorities.

+ Demonstrated ability to display initiative, anticipate problems, make recommendations for appropriate response and take action.

+ Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise, coach and mentor staff.

+ Demonstrated ability to make reasonable judgements in a complex organizational environment.

+ Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively and respectfully; Exercise diplomatic and professional interpersonal skills; Poised, professional manner with the ability to work well with diverse populations over the telephone, in written correspondence, and in-person.

+ Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information effectively with less- or non-technical users.

+ Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with faculty, staff, students and academic and industry partners; modeling and mentoring professional interactions.

+ Ability to maintain confidentiality and to handle confidential and sensitive information in an appropriate manner.

+ A solid understanding of budgeting process, which would include payroll, purchasing, and accounting systems.

+ Strong organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to manage a number of complex multifaceted relationships and tasks simultaneously.

+ Strong project management skills. Ability to problem solve, take initiative, set priorities, handle multiple projects, and exercise good judgment in a fast paced, dynamic, deadline driven environment in an organized, safe, and professional manner.

+ Demonstrated ability to work independently and cooperatively, with a high level of initiative, and as part of a team.

+ Strong communication skills, written and oral.

+ Excellent written/oral communication skills, technical documentation skills, user liaison skills, and personal interaction abilities.

+ Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information effectively with less- or non-technical users.

+ Experience with regulatory compliance.

+ Knowledge of, and experience with, M&E systems and with scientific measurement, data acquisition, and data processing systems.

+ Experience with administering safety protocols and standards.

+ Knowledge of, and experience with, computers, computer networking, scientific calculation applications, coding, and programming applications. Proficiency utilizing computers running Windows and using business applications (MS Excel, MS Word, email programs). **DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS**

+ PhD in related field.

+ Aviation experience or aerospace industry experience.

+ Experience with ITAR and Export Control regulations.

+ Knowledge of, and experience with, electrical power circuits (120VAC, 220VAC, 1 and 3 phase).

+ Knowledge of, and experience with, compressed gas usage and application.

+ Proficiency with non-Windows operating systems. Proficiency with at least a few of the following engineering software products: SolidWorks, NX, AutoCAD, CATIA, MATLAB, GNU-Octave, Mathematica, LabVIEW, Visual Studio.

+ Knowledge of, and experience with, science experimentation products such as lasers, optics, pressure gages, flow control devices, actuators, servo motors, transducers, and accelerometers.

+ Experience fabricating or testing aerospace materials or aerospace structures.

+ Experience working with students. **CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT**

+ The chosen finalist must be a United States Citizen. The job responsibilities require frequent access to technology covered by Federal export control and ITAR regulations. **Application Process:** The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.