Lead CLAW Engineer

What we do: 

The Lead Flight Control Systems CLAW Engineer serves as a key member of the Flight Controls team, driving the development and deployment of algorithms for the electric vertical and take-off landing (eVTOL) vehicle. This role will involve participating in the critical analysis of aircraft stability, constructing the control architecture, and executing rigorous testing of control law implementation and dynamics. From desktop simulations to the systems integration lab, the Lead Engineer will be an integral part of the prototyping and certification process, ensuring compliance with airworthiness regulations. 

 This role supports the development of the control laws system requirements and aids in defining the system's best practices and philosophy. This role also works closely with cross-functional engineering teams to design and test control laws. This role requires the candidate to be present in the office 5 days a week. 

What you can do:

• Establish system architecture, flight modes, response type, and control strategy 
• Develop CLAW strategy for handling failures that affect aircraft handling qualities 
• Develop CLAW strategy for actuator and motor control mixing 
• Define and maintain control laws system requirements 
• Work with Human Factors to design SVO cockpit 
• Support certification activities including documents, test planning, and test reports 
• Interface with powertrain, avionics, auto-pilot and other teams for flight controls interface 
• Design and implement flight control algorithms for a VTOL aircraft with a novel configuration 
• Mastery in implementing classical and modern control law 
• Oversee and conduct trade studies between different design considerations and control schemes 
• Define and coordinate control system architecture and response types for an aircraft that might change configuration between flight regimes 
• Conduct stability and control related analyses in time and frequency domain 
• Collaborate with the systems engineering and other engineering specialty teams to define requirements related to the flight control system and system safety 
• Other duties as assigned 

What you can contribute:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or relevant engineering field required; Master’s or PhD preferred
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in flight control algorithm design for rotary-wing and/or fixed-wing Fly-By-Wire aircraft systems (an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered)
• Ability to manage a team of 6-12 engineers
• Strong experience in analyzing flight dynamic modes
• Experience with actuator and motor control loops, mixing and blending of control surface commands, and flight testing and requirement definition
• Experience with sensor processing and Kalman filter design, different modes of aircraft flight, including vertical lift and building control laws for remotely-controlled aircraft could be beneficial
• Experience with system identification and optimization tools (CIFER, CONDUIT) and math model development of a physical system
• Familiarity with DO-178B/C, DO-160, DO-254, ARP 4754A, ARP 4761, and DO-331
• Expertise in MathWorks® tools for control algorithm development
• Familiarity with FAA part 23/25/27/29 or other certification experience
• Familiarity with aircraft handling quality requirements
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proactive delivery of communication and follow up
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Must have the ability to independently plan, prioritize, and accomplish work within time constraints
• Experience in C++ preferred