Autonomous Flight Dynamics Engineer

Harmattan AI; Paris (TX); On-site; USD 79,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Harmattan AI in Paris seeks a System Identification Engineer to own the path from flight test to identified models. You will design and run experiments, build a repeatable identification pipeline, and deliver models trusted by the Guidance & Control team.

You will identify dynamics across rigid-body, aerodynamics, propulsion, and actuators, and apply frequency- and time-domain methods, including closed-loop data, to support controller design and simulation tasks.

Qualifications

• Strong academic record with a degree in aerospace, control, mechanical engineering or a related STEM field; practical track record matters more than the specific degree.
• Experience identifying dynamic models of flying platforms from real data, in both frequency and time domains, including closed-loop data.
• Solid grasp of rigid-body dynamics, aerodynamic forces and moments, non-dimensionalization, stability modes and propulsion models; enough control background to know model use.

Responsibilities

• Experiment Design & Flight Test: Plan and run identification tests, from excitation design to flight tests, coordinating with the team.
• Model Identification: Identify rigid-body, aerodynamic, propulsion and actuator dynamics using frequency and time-domain methods, including closed-loop identification on vehicles with a controller.
• Propulsion & Actuators: Characterize motors, ESCs, propellers and control surfaces, including bandwidth, delays, saturation, and thermal & battery effects.
• Identification Pipeline: Build and maintain an automated pipeline from flight logs to identified model, including data-quality checks, estimation, validation and reporting.
• Model Validation: Validate models against held-out flight data and quantify uncertainty for controller design, simulation, or training learned G&C.
• New Airframes: Extend capability to support multirotors, fixed wings, tail-sitters and missiles.
• Simulation & G&C Support: Deliver models into simulation, SITL and HITL, collaborating with control and embedded engineers.
• Mentorship: Depending on seniority, mentor junior engineers and interns.

Skills

System identification

Python

Flight testing

Control theory

Data analysis

Education

Aerospace or controls engineering degree

STEM field

Tools

Python

Job description

Harmattan AI in Paris seeks a System Identification Engineer to own the path from flight test to identified models. You will design and run experiments, build a repeatable identification pipeline, and deliver models trusted by the Guidance & Control team.

You will identify dynamics across rigid-body, aerodynamics, propulsion, and actuators, and apply frequency- and time-domain methods, including closed-loop data, to support controller design and simulation tasks.