AD&D System Automation Engineer Staff

Cirrus Aircraft

Duluth (MN)

On-site

USD 123,626 - 185,440

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Coverage

401(k) Plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement program

Paid time off (PTO) and holidays

Parental leave and funeral leave

Well-being programs and employee clubs

Exclusive discounts and career growth

Job summary

Cirrus Aircraft in Minnesota seeks a Principal/Staff Engineer to drive automation technologies for the Advanced Design and Development group. You will define architecture principles, roadmap automation, and lead early-stage concepts from ideation through prototyping, simulation, and maturation.

You will coordinate with avionics, controls, software, test, and safety experts to craft robust system architectures and verification strategies, while guiding TRL maturation and certification readiness.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Software, Systems, or Computer Engineering. Master's degree preferred.
7+ years of experience with program-level technical impact in automation, embedded controls, or aircraft systems.
Demonstrated proficiency in control logic and/or algorithm development using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
Hands-on test experience including instrumentation, data acquisition, and test execution.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and coordinate effectively across multiple different technical and manufacturing disciplines.
Willingness to take smart risks, accept accountability, and fix mistakes.
Intrinsic motivation to drive progress and to minimize administrative overhead.
Experience in iterative development cycles and rapid prototyping.

Responsibilities

Work closely with Chief Engineers and cross-disciplinary teams to develop system functions and pilot interactions.
Define automation mode logic and system behavior with optimization for safety and reliability.
Develop, prototype, and validate architectures for aircraft system management and automation.
Architect and prototype embedded control solutions involving sensing, actuation, and feedback.
Generate engineering data and documentation, including trade studies and interface definitions.
Lead verification strategies across SIL/HIL/lab and flight test environments.
Lead early safety and certification planning activities with stakeholders.
Travel up to 25% may be required.

Skills

MATLAB/Simulink

Instrumentation

Data acquisition

Test execution

Cross-functional communication

Prototyping

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Software, Systems, or Computer Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CREO/Windchill

MATLAB/Simulink tools

Jira/Confluence

PTC CREO

Windchill

Job description

Overview

This role serves as the technical authority for systems management and automation related development and architecture for the Cirrus Advanced Design and Development (AD&D) Group. This role establishes the long-term automation technology roadmap, defines architecture principles and guardrails, and leads early-stage concept development from initial ideation and hypothesis generation through prototyping, simulation, and technology maturation. Operating at the intersection of sensing, controls, avionics, embedded systems, networking, and flightdeck technologies, the position ensures strong cross-functional alignment and cohesive system integration. Beyond technical direction and execution, this role drives early safety, certification planning, and verification strategy for automated behaviors in collaboration with certification, safety and program leadership. The Principal Engineer will work closely with Subject Matter Experts in avionics, electrical, mechanical, human factors, software systems and flight test. This role also leads iterative learning cycles to refine concepts through rapid prototyping, evaluation, and continuous improvement. As a senior technical authority, the Staff Engineer coaches engineers and internal and external stakeholders, elevating the organization's capability in aircraft automation and strengthening the engineering culture that supports innovation and technical excellence.

Responsibilities

Work closely with Chief Engineers, systems engineering, avionics, software engineers, test pilots, and human factors engineers to develop desired system functions, behaviors and pilot interaction.
Define automation mode logic and system behavior (including failure management, annunciation, and crew alerting) in partnership with systems engineers, human factors and flight test.
Develop, prototype, and validate architectures for aircraft system management and automation on new and existing aircraft platforms, including integration and scalability considerations.
Architect and prototype embedded control solutions involving sensing, actuation, and feedback logic.
Assist in engineering, stakeholder alignment, concept validation, rapid experimentation and maintain traceability to test evidence appropriate to the development stage.
Particpate in technical reviews and drive resolution of risks, hazards, and integration issues.
Assist in defineing validation and verification strategies across SIL/HIL/lab/flight test environments including objective entry/exit criteria for each phase of development.
Help establish reusable engineering frameworks, standards, and patterns for controls, networking, sensing and software integration.
Participate in conducting early phase system safety and system development assurance activities (FHA, PSSA, FMEAs, requirements reviews, requirements validation, etc.) in collaboration with system safety and certification stakeholders.
Generate engineering data and documentation, such as trade studies, interface definitions, design notes, schematics, models, drawings, specifications, test plans, and reports.
Translate verbal direction and vision into actionable design objectives and development strategies.
Foster a culture of rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration, learning from both success and failure while maintaining disciplined engineering practices.
Support early phases of certification projects, including interfacing with civil aviation authorities and ODA members and contribution to compliance planning and artifact readiness. Define and lead execution of Technical Readiness Level (TRL) maturation plans including transition criteria to Product Development.
Complete assigned tasks on time and budget.
Communicate effectively and efficiently to diverse audiences.
Travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Software, Systems, or Computer Engineering. Master's degree preffered.
7+ years of experience with program-level technical impact in automation, embedded controls, or aircraft systems.
Demonstrated proficiency in control logic and/or algorithm development using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
Hands-on test experience including instrumentation, data acquisition, and test execution.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and coordinate effectively across multiple different technical and manufacturing disciplines.
Willingness to take smart risks, accept accountability, and fix mistakes.
Intrinsic motivation to drive progress - to explore, challenge, and innovate – and to minimize administrative overhead along the way.
Experienced in iterative development cycles, with a strong ability to identify non-viable solutions early and reorient technical strategy quickly.
Strong hands-on skills in prototyping, simulation, and testing, and comfortable operating under tight deadlines with minimal direction and in a shop or lab environment.
Proficient in creating engineering design definition - 3D models, 2D drawings, sketches, logical diagrams , schematics, and engineering specifications.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and technical writing skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with fluency in English.

Preffered Qualifications:

Private pilot certificate or personal aviation experience.
Previous early-stage aircraft development program experience.
Experience defining and executing validation and verification strategies across multiple test venue types (e.g., HIL, SIL, bench testing, ground vehicle testing, flight testing).
Expertise in avionics, aircraft networks, embedded systems, sensing, signal processing, and feedback control. Experience with FAA certification frameworks (Part 23/27, ARP4754A, DO-160, DO-178C, DO-254).
Working knowledge of system development and safety standards such as AC 23.1309-1E, SAE ARP4754A, SAE ARP4761.
Familiarity with model-based systems engineering.
Demonstrated ability to act as a technical authority influencing executives, suppliers, and certification partners.
Experience developing and managing complex requirement sets.
Experience defining system interfaces, crew indications, and flight manual procedures.
Familiarity with PTC products (e.g. CREO, Windchill), Mathworks products (e.g. Matlab, Simulink), Atlassian products (e.g. Jira, Confluence), and proficient in at least one coding language.
Experience representing systems in industry working groups or standards development.
Demonstrated ability to communicate, negotiate, and collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization, from the shop floor to the C‑suite
Bonus points if your weekends involve flying, plane spotting, or building RC aircraft.

Our Benefits: Cirrus provides a range of exciting benefits, including:

Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, vision, dental, with additional dependent coverage options
Employer-Paid Coverages: Group term life, short- and long-term disability insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts:FSA and HSA offerings with company contributions to HSA
Well-being:Calm Health, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness incentives through medical provider
401(k) Plan: Dollar-for-dollar match up to 5% after 90 days, with 100% vesting at 1 year of service
PTO: Various PTO plans starting at 100 hours accrued within the first year
Additional Time off Benefits: Paid holidays, 2 weeks of Paid Parental leave, paid time for funeral leave and jury duty
Career Development: Tuition reimbursement program and professional growth opportunities
Exclusive Discounts: Cirrus Store, partner and marketplace discounts available
Community & Engagement: Company and employee clubs at various locations