Master Thesis: Parametric Cost Model aircraft design

The development of new aircraft types is a large and technically complex operation. The development process takes a long period, and there are many difficult technical trade-offs involved. For each of these trade-offs, there is much engineering judgement involved to make a well-founded choice.

An important challenge for the project team, is to design an aircraft that fulfils the customer demands well. These demands cover a range of topics, from technical performance to economic exploitation elements, such as costs and availability. These economic requirements matter for the eventual exploitation of the aircraft.

A large part of the operating costs, is dependent on the design choices that have been made early in the development process, but the eventual economic consequences of these choices do not become apparent until much later in the development cycle. In order to bridge this gap, it is important to have the ability to make a reasonable estimation of the costs in the early stages of the aircraft development process.

At NLR, our aim is to facilitate the transition towards more sustainable aviation. An important part of the transition process, is creating technically suitable and commercially desirable alternatives. Commercially desirable means that the new aircraft are financially attractive to operate. For this assessment, it is important to have a clear understanding of the costs of an aircraft design, which a parametric cost model will help clarify.

• Research cost factors for future aircraft design;

• Build a data analysis model in python to assess a variety of cost factors for aircraft design and their impact on operational costs;

• Build a python model to analyse the data.

• Scientific research report relating to cost models for aircraft design, describing applied methods, findings and recommendations;

• Python code with appended and functional models in the NLR system.

6-9 months

• WO master in Aerospace engineering;

• Preferably a specialisation in Aerospace/Aviation operations;

• Knowledge of Python;

• Assertive and self-motivated, able to be part of the project team and also proceed individually.

Royal NLR has been a knowledge organization with the will and ambition to innovate for over 100 years. Based on that motivation, we make the world of aviation and space travel safer, more sustainable, more efficient and effective and stand for groundbreaking innovations. We employ more than 1000 passionate professionals, from aircraft engineers to psychologists and from mathematicians to application experts. NLR stands for an inclusive and diverse organization where everyone feels welcome, safe, valued and respected.

Our colleagues are happy to tell you what it’s like to work at NLR.

Hier nog wat info over de afdeling bijvoorbeeld:
This assignment will be managed by the Maintenance Engineering group of the Avionics Systems and Maintenance Engineering (ASAM) department of NLR.

Send your application, together with your motivation letter and CV. We will contact you as soon as possible. If you have questions, please contact Arjan Derks, (Arjan.derks@nlr.nl) +31(0)885113503 for more information.

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Nice! We look forward to get to know more about you. Please send you CV and cover letter via the “apply” button.

A positive VOG screening is necessary for this position.