Sr. Engineer, Control Laws (CLAWS) & Handling Qualities
About The Position
Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company that’s developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and the ground-to-air ecosystem to support the emerging industry. By creating a sustainable, integrated, and human-centered ecosystem, we are committed to taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to entering the AAM market with a product that meets the high level of safety and reliability in today’s air transportation system. The future of mobility starts with people. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people’s ability to move – whether for work or play. Join our dynamic team as we strive to be a part of something greater where potential powers tomorrow! Supernal provides an inviting open-space workplace designed to foster collaboration, which aligns with one of our core values. This position is required to work on-site 5 days a week. The Sr. Engineer, Control Law (CLAWS) & Handling Qualities Engineer supports air vehicle design, simulation, component test, and flight test activities through flight dynamics analysis, control law assessment, and handling qualities evaluation. This role executes CLAWS model development, simulation integration, and handling qualities assessment throughout development stages as part of the Flight Sciences team. The engineer collaborates regularly with the other groups in Supernal.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, control systems engineering, or a related technical field required
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience
- Experience in flight dynamics, flight controls, control law analysis, handling qualities evaluation, aircraft simulation, or flight test support
- Experience using MATLAB/Simulink for modeling, simulation, control law integration, or dynamic system analysis
- Experience developing, using, or reviewing engineering simulation environments for aircraft, rotorcraft, powered lift aircraft, or other complex vehicle systems
- Experience with physics-based flight dynamics simulation tools such as FLIGHTLAB, or similar aircraft modeling and simulation tools
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to independently prioritize and accomplish work within time constraints
Nice To Haves
- Experience with real time simulation, pilot in the loop simulation, hardware in the loop testing, or integrated simulation environments preferred
- Familiarity with aircraft handling qualities, flight control modes, stability and control, system interfaces, or flight test data analysis preferred
- Familiarity with interface messaging, avionics communication protocols, or simulation interface standards such as CIGI preferred
- Experience reviewing supplier, partner, or cross functional engineering deliverables preferred
- General understanding of engineering simulation fundamentals, especially as applied to aircraft flight simulation and vehicle response evaluation
- Strong understanding of flight dynamics, stability and control, and aircraft response characteristics
- Working knowledge of flight control law concepts, including control modes, gain scheduling, stability augmentation, and mode transition behavior
- Understanding of handling qualities fundamentals, including controllability, pilot workload, and pilot vehicle interaction
- Ability to evaluate closed loop aircraft response using simulation results, flight dynamics models, and engineering judgment
- Ability to review simulation model assumptions, control law behavior, test data, and technical limitations
Responsibilities
- Review and assess flight control law behavior, control modes, gain schedules, and closed loop aircraft response
- Use flight dynamics models and simulation results to evaluate stability, controllability, handling qualities, and aircraft response characteristics
- Support analysis of stability augmentation, attitude hold, envelope protection, mode transition, and selected failure mode behavior
- Document technical findings, risks, assumptions, and recommendations for design reviews and technical discussions
- Support handling qualities evaluations using simulation results, pilot feedback, flight dynamics analysis, and applicable industry guidance
- Assist in defining evaluation maneuvers, simulation cases, assessment criteria, and data review methods
- Support pilot in the loop simulation activities to assess vehicle response, workload, controllability, and pilot vehicle interaction
- Provide technical input to aircraft level design decisions influenced by handling qualities or pilot vehicle interaction
- Support the development, maintenance, and use of flight simulation environments for CLAWS and handling qualities evaluations
- Review simulation model assumptions, control law integration, interfaces, and model fidelity for aircraft response assessment
- Support requirement verification activities using analysis, simulation, ground test data, and flight test data
- Assist with test planning, preflight simulation, and post test data review related to control law and handling qualities evaluations
- Work with other groups in Supernal to support integrated aircraft level technical reviews
- Support multidisciplinary trade studies where control law behavior, vehicle dynamics, or handling qualities affect aircraft design decisions
- Perform additional duties as assigned in support of Flight Sciences and aircraft development activities
Benefits
- Bonus as part of total compensation
- Access to benefits information via provided link
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
