AD&D System Automation Engineer Staff

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Chief Engineers, systems engineering, avionics, software engineers, test pilots, and human factors engineers to develop desired system functions, behaviors and pilot interaction.
• Define automation mode logic and system behavior (including failure management, annunciation, and crew alerting) in partnership with systems engineers, human factors and flight test.
• Develop, prototype, and validate architectures for aircraft system management and automation on new and existing aircraft platforms, including integration and scalability considerations.
• Arcitect and prototype embedded control solutions involving sensing, actuation, and feedback logic.
• Assist in engineering, stakeholder alignment, concept validation, rapid experimentation and maintain traceability to test evidence appropriate to the development stage.
• Participate in technical reviews and drive resolution of risks, hazards, and integration issues.
• Assist in defining validation and verification strategies across SIL/HIL/lab/flight test environments including objective entry/exit criteria for each phase of development.
• Help establish reusable engineering frameworks, standards, and patterns for controls, networking, sensing and software integration.
• Conduct early phase system safety and system development assurance activities (FHA, PSSA, FMEAs, requirements reviews, requirements validation, etc.) in collaboration with system safety and certification stakeholders.
• Generate engineering data and documentation, such as trade studies, interface definitions, design notes, schematics, models, drawings, specifications, test plans, and reports.
• Translate verbal direction and vision into actionable design objectives and development strategies.
• Foster a culture of rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration, learning from both success and failure while maintaining disciplined engineering practices.
• Support early phases of certification projects, including interfacing with civil aviation authorities and ODA members and contribution to compliance planning and artifact readiness.
• Define and lead execution of Technical Readiness Level (TRL) maturation plans including transition criteria to Product Development.
• Complete assigned tasks on time and budget.
• Communicate effectively and efficiently to diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Software, Systems, or Computer Engineering. Master's degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience with program-level technical impact in automation, embedded controls, or aircraft systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency in control logic and/or algorithm development using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
• Hands-on test experience including instrumentation, data acquisition, and test execution.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and coordinate effectively across multiple different technical and manufacturing disciplines.
• Willingness to take smart risks, accept accountability, and fix mistakes.
• Intrinsic motivation to drive progress - to explore, challenge, and innovate – and to minimize administrative overhead along the way.
• Experienced in iterative development cycles, with a strong ability to identify non-viable solutions early and reorient technical strategy quickly.
• Strong hands-on skills in prototyping, simulation, and testing, and comfortable operating under tight deadlines with minimal direction and in a shop or lab environment.
• Proficient in creating engineering design definition - 3D models, 2D drawings, sketches, logical diagrams , schematics, and engineering specifications.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and technical writing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with fluency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Private pilot certificate or personal aviation experience.
• Previous early-stage aircraft development program experience.
• Experience defining and executing validation and verification strategies across multiple test venue types (e.g., HIL, SIL, bench testing, ground vehicle testing, flight testing).
• Expertise in avionics, aircraft networks, embedded systems, sensing, signal processing, and feedback control.
• Experience with FAA certification frameworks (Part 23/27, ARP4754A, DO-160, DO-178C, DO-254).
• Working knowledge of system development and safety standards such as AC 23.1309-1E, SAE ARP4754A, SAE ARP4761.
• Familiarity with model-based systems engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a technical authority influencing executives, suppliers, and certification partners.
• Experience developing and managing complex requirement sets.
• Experience defining system interfaces, crew indications, and flight manual procedures.
• Familiarity with PTC products (e.g. CREO, Windchill), Mathworks products (e.g. Matlab, Simulink), Atlassian products (e.g. Jira, Confluence), and proficient in at least one coding language.
• Experience representing systems in industry working groups or standards development.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, negotiate, and collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization, from the shop floor to the C-suite.