AD&D System Automation Engineer Staff

Cirrus Aircraft Ltd.; Duluth, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Life & disability insurance

401(k) match

PTO & holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Cirrus Aircraft Ltd. in Duluth, MN seeks a Principal Engineer to serve as the technical authority for systems management and automation development.

You will define the long-term automation roadmap, architecture principles, and drive early-stage concepts through prototyping, simulation, and maturation. You will lead cross-functional teams across avionics, embedded systems, networking, and flightdeck technologies, shaping verification, safety, and certification plans and delivering scalable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Software, Systems, or Computer Engineering; Master's preferred.
• 7+ years of experience with program-level technical impact in automation, embedded controls, or aircraft systems.
• Proficient in control logic and/or algorithm development using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
• Hands-on test experience including instrumentation, data acquisition, and test execution.

Responsibilities

• Work with Chief Engineers and cross-disciplinary teams to develop system functions and pilot interaction.
• Define automation mode logic and system behavior with engineers.
• Prototype and validate architectures for aircraft system management and automation across platforms.
• Prototype embedded control solutions involving sensing, actuation, and feedback logic.
• Lead validation strategies and risk resolution across development phases.

Skills

MATLAB/Simulink

Cross-disciplinary communication

Analytical writing

System-level thinking

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical/Aerospace/Software/Systems/Computer Engineering

Master's degree preferred

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

These benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and enjoyment at Cirrus!

Other DutiesPlease note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required.

Cirrus is dedicated to a drug-free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Pay Range

Salary Range: USD $123,626.46/Yr. - USD $185,439.69/Yr.