AD&D Aerospace Engineer Sr Principal

Cirrus • Duluth, MN

1d

About The Position

The Senior Principal Aerospace Engineer in the AD&D (Advanced Development and
Design) team is a key technical leader responsible for driving the design,
development, and integration of cutting-edge aerospace systems within Cirrus
Aircraft. This role requires an expert in aerospace engineering who can
innovate, lead complex system development, and guide the evolution of future
aircraft technologies. The Senior Principal Engineer will play a critical role
in shaping the strategic direction of new systems and technologies, ensuring
their alignment with Cirrus’ long-term product roadmap.

As a senior technical leader, the Senior Principal Aerospace Engineer will lead
multidisciplinary teams, overseeing the research, conceptual design, and
integration of advanced systems such as avionics, flight controls, and power
management. This role involves working across the organization to define system
requirements, develop solutions, and ensure that designs meet the highest
standards for performance, safety, and user experience.

In addition to leading technical efforts, the Senior Principal Engineer will
collaborate closely with other senior leaders to shape the future of aviation
technology. This includes guiding strategic initiatives, mentoring engineering
teams, managing complex projects, and contributing to intellectual property
development. The role also involves significant interaction with stakeholders to
define project scope, influence technology choices, and align development
efforts with organizational goals.

This is a high-visibility position that combines deep technical expertise with
leadership and strategic influence, requiring the ability to drive both
innovation and execution across a variety of aerospace disciplines.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 18+ years of experience in a related engineering field, with a strong background in aerospace systems development.
• Proficient in at least one professional modeling environment, such as MATLAB/Simulink (control systems), JAMA, CAMEO, or similar tools.
• Expertise in fluid dynamics, aircraft performance, stability, and control.
• Skilled in engineering drawings, CAD software, and engineering configuration management.
• Familiarity with configuration management practices and the ability to maintain clear documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to concisely document and explain workflows and design decisions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, aligning data engineering tasks with broader project goals.
• Comfortable working under uncertainty during the early stages of development, driving results and solutions.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing to a high-functioning team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a diverse range of aerospace systems and configurations, ensuring they meet performance and integration goals.
• Oversee or directly conduct system integration and validation testing on aircraft, ensuring all systems function as intended.
• Lead or perform detailed analysis on fluid dynamics, aircraft performance, and stability and control to ensure design objectives are met.
• Research, develop, and evaluate software algorithms to enhance system functionality and performance.
• Independently design and carry out bench, ground, and flight tests, analyzing data and presenting clear results to stakeholders.
• Lead trade studies on data, software, and network architecture, providing insights to guide system development and decision-making.
• Take responsibility for the overall technical architecture and strategy of advanced flight systems, ensuring alignment with broader engineering goals.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of systems across all engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in leading small, multi-disciplinary teams to successfully deliver complex aerospace systems.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees