Manager, Flight Controls & Software

Airbus•Bingen, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

As the Senior Manager of Flight Controls & Software for the Airbus Flexrotor program, you will occupy a pivotal leadership seat at the intersection of flight physics and digital implementation. The Flexrotor is a high-performance VTOL platform pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Group 2/3 UAS. In this high-impact role, you will architect the "brain" of the aircraft. From translating complex flight dynamics into executable control laws to overseeing the full software lifecycle (from Kickoff through P3), your expertise will ensure that our autonomous systems are robust, certifiable, and mission-ready. We are looking for a technical visionary who thrives in multidisciplinary environments and possesses the grit to solve complex integration challenges across SIL, HIL, and flight-test environments. The Airbus Helicopters Flexrotor Program offers one of the most sophisticated small tactical unmanned aerial systems (STUAS) with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). It can be used day or night by US and allied forces for a diverse range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) on land and at sea.

Requirements

Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
Have eight (8) + years’ experience in flight dynamics, CLAW and software development for airborne or autonomous systems
Have three (3) +years’ experience with aircraft software development, integration, and testing
Have three (3) + years experience in system engineering and cross-domain integration
Strong knowledge about translating flight physics into control algorithms and software implementation
High attention to detail; delivers accurate, complete work with consistently minimal errors and omissions.
Software development languages (C/C++, Python, embedded systems
Must be a US Person under ITAR definition (U.S. Citizen, green card holder or person covered under our existing ITAR license)
Onsite or remote: 100% onsite.
Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
Daily Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms.
Daily. Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
Daily. Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
Daily. Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
Daily. Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
Daily. Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.
Occasionally. Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer.
Daily. Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
Occasionally. Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor.
Daily. Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice.
Occasionally. Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.
Daily. Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site
Administrative position only PPE required: Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visits, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.

Nice To Haves

20% Domestic and International Travel Required

Responsibilities

Lead and grow a multidisciplinary team covering flight controls, embedded software, and system integration.
Translate aircraft flight dynamics, stability, and control behavior into executable control laws and software requirements.
Oversee development of autonomous flight control systems, including aircraft dynamics modeling, parameterization, stability, and control law implementation for UAS (VTOL fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms).
Ensure alignment between control algorithms, avionics architecture, and software implementation.
Manage development within functional scope across: Aircraft flight software, Ground Control Station (GCS), Payload and mission system integration.
Define and execute the software integration roadmap across the Flexrotor product lifecycle.
Drive system-level integration across aircraft, GCS, datalink, and payload systems.
Ensure compatibility and scalability for: Baseline aircraft capabilities, Enhanced/autonomous mission capabilities.
Partner with systems engineering to ensure requirements traceability and architecture consistency.
Support continuous product improvement through iterative releases and configuration control.
Establish and manage verification strategies across: SIL (Software-in-the-Loop), HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop), Ground testing, Flight testing.
Define and deploy test infrastructure and automation frameworks across multiple environments.
Ensure verification activities align with safety, certification, and performance objectives.
Drive data-driven validation and continuous improvement loops.
Lead mishap investigation, troubleshooting, and problem report (PR) dispositioning.
Coordinate corrective and preventive actions across flight controls and software teams.
Provide technical leadership during production, customer demos and deployments.
Ensure rapid and structured resolution of in-service and development issues.
Manage team planning including resource allocation, scheduling, and risk management.
Interface with Airbus leadership, internal stakeholders, suppliers, and partners.
Support program execution aligned with cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
Contribute to supplier management for software and control system components.

Benefits

Competitive base salary
incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes
retirement savings plan
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)
Paid time off including personal time
holidays
generous paid parental leave program
Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans)
prescription
dental
vision
life
disability
Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”)
other supplemental benefit coverages