Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc.

Senior Flight Controls Engineer

San Luis Obispo, CA
Full Time
Experienced
Senior Flight Controls Engineer
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a Senior Flight Controls Engineer to join our engineering department. ESAero is a growing aerospace company in the San Luis Obispo area and provides various services which include but are not limited to rapid system development, on-demand niche engineering, hands-on development/testing, and small UAS aerospace system manufacturing.

**This position is fully on-site at Empirical System's Aerospace in San Luis Obispo, CA


Job Summary:
ESAero is seeking an experienced Senior Flight Controls Engineer with rotorcraft and flight test experience to join our team in San Luis Obispo, CA. The engineer will lead and support the simulation and development of advanced control systems for unique configuration aircraft including: multi-propulsor eVTOL and CTOL aircraft at all scales (VTOL sUAS to eVTOL manned platforms, research platforms, CTOL Distributed Electric Propulsion aircraft).  This is a multi-functional role that will also require candidates to be involved in all phases of design and development of new platforms collaborating with other engineering disciplines and project personnel.

Responsibilities and Duties:
  • Development of complex VTOL flight dynamics simulations with high fidelity rotor dynamics
  • Design, development, and implementation of optimal and adaptive flight controls and guidance laws for reconfigurable aircraft
  • Development of flight test maneuvers for system verification and identification
  • System identification in time a frequency domain
Required Qualifications and Skills:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
  • 10+ years of flight controls and simulation engineering experience.
  • Experience in UAS and manned aircraft design
  • Proven understanding of complex aircraft dynamics (aero, structures, control)
  • Experience simulating non-linear complex aircraft sub-systems and systems
  • Experience with frequency and time domain system analysis
  • Control system simulation, implementation, test, and verification experience
  • Familiarity with implementation of embedded real-time control system
  • Familiarity with system identification of aircraft from flight test
  • Familiarity with FAA and Military standards relating to the control system design for aircraft.
  • Familiarity with Risk Management
  • Fundamental understanding of other disciplines (Aerodynamics, Structures, Electrical Eng., Embedded systems)
  • Willing to relocate to San Luis Obispo, CA
  • U.S. Citizen
Desirable Qualifications and Skills:
  • Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or equivalent and
  • 15+ years of flight controls and simulation engineering experience.
  • Experience with non-linear controls and analysis (adaptive control, neural networks, machine learning)
  • Experience with implementation of embedded real-time control systems
  • Experience designing to FAA and Military standards relating to the control system design for aircraft.
  • Experience with system identification of aircraft from flight test
  • Experience with Risk Management
Standard Benefits:
  • Health: Health/Dental/Vision 
  • PTO
  • Paid Holidays
  • Retirement: 401k 
  • Casual dress code, Free snacks
  • Amazing location to live, work, and play 
ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.

Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States 
Salary Range: $100,000 to $150,000 annually depending on experience
 
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