Job Title: Flight Control Systems Engineer

Job Summary:

The Mid-Level Flight Control Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, integrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting flight control systems in aircraft. This role involves working with advanced avionics, autopilot systems, manual flight controls, and flight management systems to ensure they meet operational, safety, and regulatory requirements. The engineer will take an active role in system optimization, troubleshooting, and the testing of critical flight control systems, while also leading small projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth integration of systems across the aircraft.

Key Responsibilities:

1. System Design and Integration:

   • Lead the design and integration of flight control systems, including autopilot systems, flight management systems, and manual flight control systems, ensuring seamless integration with avionics and other aircraft systems.
   • Develop technical specifications and requirements for flight control systems and ensure they meet aircraft performance, safety, and regulatory standards.
   • Collaborate with other engineering teams (e.g., avionics, systems, electrical) to ensure proper integration and functionality of flight control systems.

2. Testing, Validation, and System Optimization:

   • Conduct and oversee testing of flight control systems to verify functionality, performance, and safety under various operational conditions.
   • Support the validation of flight control systems, including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and flight testing to ensure systems operate as expected in real-world conditions.
   • Identify opportunities to optimize flight control systems to improve performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency, and lead efforts to implement changes.

3. Troubleshooting and Issue Resolution:

   • Take a lead role in troubleshooting flight control system issues, diagnosing root causes, and implementing corrective actions.
   • Collaborate with senior engineers and other teams to identify and resolve complex system issues and ensure minimal downtime and disruption to operations.
   • Lead investigations of system malfunctions, identify areas for improvement, and implement long-term solutions to enhance the reliability and performance of flight control systems.

4. System Maintenance and Calibration:

   • Oversee the calibration and routine maintenance of flight control systems, ensuring that all systems meet accuracy and reliability standards.
   • Implement regular maintenance schedules to ensure the long-term health of flight control systems and prevent system failures during flight operations.
   • Collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to ensure that systems are operationally ready for flight.

5. Safety and Regulatory Compliance:

   • Ensure that all flight control systems comply with regulatory standards, including FAA, EASA, and other relevant safety guidelines and standards.
   • Lead efforts to maintain the safety and certification of flight control systems, ensuring that all activities, from design to testing, meet safety requirements.
   • Provide technical support and documentation to support regulatory audits, certification, and compliance processes.

6. Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams:

   • Work closely with R&D, production, and quality teams to integrate new technologies and features into flight control systems.
   • Participate in cross-functional meetings to provide technical expertise and ensure that flight control systems meet operational and design goals.
   • Communicate effectively with other engineering teams and stakeholders to ensure that flight control systems are aligned with broader organizational goals.

7. Documentation and Reporting:

   • Prepare detailed technical documentation, including system specifications, test plans, reports, and maintenance logs, to ensure transparency and compliance with industry standards.
   • Maintain records of flight control system configurations, changes, and testing results, ensuring that all documentation is up to date and accurate for regulatory and audit purposes.
   • Provide regular reports to senior management on project progress, performance metrics, and system improvements.

8. Project Management and Technical Leadership:

   • Lead smaller-scale flight control systems projects, managing resources, timelines, and technical specifications to ensure successful project execution.
   • Work with project managers and cross-functional teams to define and achieve project goals, milestones, and deliverables.
   • Guide and mentor junior engineers and technicians, providing technical leadership and fostering professional development.

9. Continuous Improvement and Innovation:

   • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in flight control systems, including efficiency, safety, and performance enhancements.
   • Stay informed about emerging technologies in avionics and flight control systems, evaluating and recommending innovative solutions to enhance system capabilities and reduce operational costs.

Skills and Knowledge Required:

• Strong knowledge of flight control systems, including autopilot systems, flight management systems, and manual flight control systems.
• In-depth understanding of avionics, navigation, and communication systems as they relate to flight control.
• Proven experience in troubleshooting and diagnosing issues with flight control systems.
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., FAA, EASA) related to flight control systems.
• Experience with system testing, validation, and optimization, including hands-on experience with flight simulators and in-flight testing.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve complex technical issues quickly and efficiently.
• Knowledge of system integration processes, particularly in relation to avionics and flight control systems.
• Proficiency with simulation software (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink) and system modeling tools for flight control system analysis.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Ability to lead projects, manage timelines, and allocate resources effectively.

Educational Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Professional certifications related to avionics, flight control systems, or quality management (e.g., Six Sigma, FAA certifications) are highly desirable.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience in avionics, flight control systems, or related fields, with a focus on system integration, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with the maintenance and optimization of flight control systems, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Proven experience working in a cross-functional team environment and contributing to the successful execution of avionics projects.
• Experience with simulation, modeling, and performance testing of flight control systems is beneficial.

Tools and Technologies:

• Familiarity with flight control systems, including autopilot, flight management, and navigation systems.
• Proficiency with simulation and modeling tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, or similar software.
• Experience with diagnostic tools and software used to troubleshoot avionics and flight control systems.

Other Requirements:

• Strong leadership abilities to guide and mentor junior engineers and technicians.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• A commitment to ensuring high standards of safety, performance, and regulatory compliance in flight control systems.
• Willingness to travel to facilities or aircraft for system installations, testing, and troubleshooting as needed.