Senior Flight Controls Engineer

Company: Odys Aviation
Location: Long Beach
Posted on: March 7, 2025

Job Description:

About OdysOur mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We're deploying aircraft with launch partners (, , , US Navy) beginning in late 2025 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.We're a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops ( faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we've been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.About The RoleAs a Senior Flight Controls Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the behavior of our UAVs, from initial concept to real-world flight. Our Flight Dynamics and Controls team is responsible for designing, implementing, and validating control algorithms that enable precise, stable, and agile flight. You will work closely with our aerodynamics, mechanical, software, and flight test teams to ensure seamless integration and execution of control strategies. This role offers the opportunity to directly impact the way our UAVs fly, through hands-on development, real-time testing, and flight validation.Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and tune flight control laws for a large UAV
• Develop and refine autopilot architecture, guidance and navigation algorithms
• Improve full system simulation model to support development needs
• Closely collaborate with aerodynamics, controls and mechanical design teams to rapidly iterate on designs
• Plan and execute model/software/hardware-in-the-loop (MIL/SIL/HIL) simulations, ground tests, and flight tests
• Develop test procedures and analyze flight data to validate control system performance
• Work closely with the flight test team to ensure safe and efficient execution of test campaignsRequired Qualifications
  • Master's or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
  • 5+ years of experience in flight control system development for UAVs
  • Strong understanding of flight dynamics, control theory, and system identification
  • Experience with modern flight control architectures and FBW (Fly-by-Wire) systems
  • Solid understanding of guidance, navigation and state estimation algorithms
  • Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, Python, and real-time embedded control implementation
  • Hands-on experience with HIL/SIL testing, flight testing, and data analysis
  • Experience with safety-critical systems development (e.g., DO-178C, DO-254)
  • Able to work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environmentPreferred Qualifications
    • Experience with Embention flight computer hardware
    • Experience with aircraft system identification tools (e.g., CIFER, SIDPAC)
    • Experience with vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
    • Previous experience certifying a UAV or manned aircraft flight control system
    • Knowledge of actuator dynamics, redundancy management, and sensor fusion
    • Familiarity with UAV certification and design approval standards and processes (e.g., EASA SORA)
    • RC/Remote/Crewed pilot experience
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Keywords: Odys Aviation, Long Beach , Senior Flight Controls Engineer, Engineering , Long Beach, California