Sr. Engineer I - Flight Control Systems (HAPS)

NewSpace Research and Technologies; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 4,500,000 - 6,500,000; Full time

Job summary

NewSpace Research and Technologies in Bengaluru, India seeks a Senior Flight Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, and testing of advanced flight control systems for an unmanned solar-powered aircraft.

The role requires leadership, a strong background in flight control engineering, DO-178C certification experience, and hands-on work with MATLAB/Simulink and C++, embedded RTOS, and UAV autopilot systems. Collaboration across mechanical, electrical and software teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field with thesis/project in flight dynamics/controls.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in flight control system design and development for UAVs.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink for design and analysis.
• Proficiency in C++ code development.
• Significant experience with DO-178C certification processes and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to the flight controls team.
• Lead design reviews and ensure best practices in flight control system development.
• Architect and lead the development of flight control algorithms and hardware selection.
• Oversee testing, V&V, and integration with simulation models and HWIL testing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for system integration and certification efforts.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive continual improvement.

Skills

MATLAB/Simulink

C++

Embedded systems

RTOS

UAV autopilot

Navigation sensors

DO-178C

Control theory

Flight data analysis

Education

Master's or PhD in Aerospace/EE/Mech

Tools

Model-based design

Job description

5+ Years

Full-Time

About Us:

We are an Aerospace & Defense company based out of Bangalore and Delhi NCR. We design and develop next generation mission technologies (NGMT) to provide an unparalleled advantage to the Indian Armed Forces in the battlefields of tomorrow. Our current product development portfolio includes a solar-powered stratospheric aircraft, the high altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) ,air/ ground-launched smart autonomous unmanned systems, AR/VR systems and Air Combat Simulators.

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Flight Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, and testing of advanced flight control systems for unmanned flexible solar-powered aircraft. This senior role involves taking a leadership position within the team, driving technical excellence, and ensuring the successful integration and performance of UAV control systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in flight control engineering and significant exposure to certification and compliance processes.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Mentorship:

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to the flight controls engineering team.
• Mentor junior engineers, fostering their professional growth and development.
• Lead design reviews and ensure best practices are followed in all aspects of flight control system development.

Design and Development:

• Lead the development and implementation of advanced flight control algorithms and systems for an unconventional aeroelastic UAV.
• Architect the flight control system and lead the design and selection of flight controls hardware.
• Design and optimize control loops for stability, performance, and robustness.
• Manage flight controls software and version control to ensure it remains in sync with flight simulation models.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of control systems with UAV platforms.
• Oversee safety analysis using STPA, FHA, FMEA and FTA.
• Perform integrated system checks on iron bird and subscale platforms
• Testing and Validation:
• Establish test cases for V&V of flight control laws and safety/ recovery features.
• Oversee simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to validate control system performance.
• Lead flight testing and data analysis efforts to refine and improve control algorithms.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to flight control systems.

Integration and Collaboration:

• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams to ensure successful system integration.
• Establish system-level requirements and specifications.

Certification and Compliance:

• Ensure flight control systems meet relevant certification requirements, including DO-178C standards.
• Lead the preparation of documentation and artifacts required for certification processes.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies to achieve necessary certifications for UAV systems.
• Documentation and Reporting:
• Prepare and review technical documentation, including design specifications, test plans, and reports.
• Communicate progress and results to stakeholders, providing recommendations for improvements.

Innovation and Improvement:

• Stay current with advancements in flight control technologies and UAV industry trends.
• Propose and implement innovative solutions to enhance UAV performance and capabilities.
• Apply first-principles thinking to problem formulation and solution synthesis, driving innovation in simulation model development.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field with thesis/ project in flight dynamics/ controls
• Experience:
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in flight control system design and development, with a focus on UAVs.
• Demonstrated proficiency in control system design and analysis using tools such as MATLAB/Simulink.
• Demonstrated proficiency in C++ code development.
• Significant experience with DO-178C certification processes and requirements.

Technical Skills:

• Strong understanding of control theory, dynamics, and kinematics.
• Strong engineering intuition with an ability to visualize flight data.
• Experience with embedded systems and real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Expertise in UAV autopilot systems, navigation sensors, and communication protocols.
• Proven track record of successful flight control system development and deployment.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with model-based design and development.
• Knowledge of machine learning and AI applications in flight control systems.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards and safety protocols for UAVs.
• Previous experience in a leadership role within an engineering team.