Sr. Engineer, Control Laws (CLAWS) & Handling Qualities

Supernal•Irvine, CA

1d•$134,636 - $164,555•Onsite

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.

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
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
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

Responsibilities

Supports air vehicle design, simulation, component test, and flight test activities through flight dynamics analysis, control law assessment, and handling qualities evaluation.
Executes CLAWS model development, simulation integration, and handling qualities assessment throughout development stages as part of the Flight Sciences team.
Collaborates regularly with the other groups in Supernal.
Reviews and assesses flight control law behavior, control modes, gain schedules, and closed loop aircraft response.
Uses flight dynamics models and simulation results to evaluate stability, controllability, handling qualities, and aircraft response characteristics.
Supports analysis of stability augmentation, attitude hold, envelope protection, mode transition, and selected failure mode behavior.
Documents technical findings, risks, assumptions, and recommendations for design reviews and technical discussions.
Supports handling qualities evaluations using simulation results, pilot feedback, flight dynamics analysis, and applicable industry guidance.
Assists in defining evaluation maneuvers, simulation cases, assessment criteria, and data review methods.
Supports pilot in the loop simulation activities to assess vehicle response, workload, controllability, and pilot vehicle interaction.
Provides technical input to aircraft level design decisions influenced by handling qualities or pilot vehicle interaction.
Supports the development, maintenance, and use of flight simulation environments for CLAWS and handling qualities evaluations.
Reviews simulation model assumptions, control law integration, interfaces, and model fidelity for aircraft response assessment.
Supports requirement verification activities using analysis, simulation, ground test data, and flight test data.
Assists with test planning, preflight simulation, and post test data review related to control law and handling qualities evaluations.
Works with other groups in Supernal to support integrated aircraft level technical reviews.
Supports multidisciplinary trade studies where control law behavior, vehicle dynamics, or handling qualities affect aircraft design decisions.
Performs additional duties as assigned in support of Flight Sciences and aircraft development activities.