Flight Control Engineer

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND SUPPORT LLC; Exton (PA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND SUPPORT LLC seeks a skilled avionics flight controls engineer to develop and refine autopilot modes and control laws. You will collaborate across avionics, software, mechanical, and systems teams to ensure robust integration and compliant verification.

The role requires strong background in control theory, flight dynamics, and interface documentation, with DO-178C exposure and model-based design familiarity. On-site work in Exton, PA supports flight test activities.

Qualifications

• BS, MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Approximately 5 years of avionics, flight controls, or aircraft systems engineering experience.
• Strong foundation in classical and modern control theory, including stability and tuning.
• Solid understanding of aircraft flight dynamics and handling qualities.
• Experience with autopilot system design, evaluation, or tuning is required.
• Familiarity with model-based design, simulation environments, or control analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).
• Working knowledge of avionics systems and DO-178C principles.

Responsibilities

• Develops, analyzes, and supports flight control systems, including autopilot modes and control laws.
• Collaborates with avionics, software, mechanical, and systems teams for seamless integration.
• Participates in design, validation, and verification of control interfaces and requirements.
• Assists in system safety analyses related to fault detection, redundancy, and failure effects.
• Provides data review and root-cause investigations for flight control performance issues.

Skills

Flight control

Control theory

Autopilot design

MATLAB/Simulink

System integration

IBM DOORS

Written and verbal communication

Pilot license or flight test exposure

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Eng or equivalent

Tools

IBM DOORS

Job description

Description

• Develops, analyzes, and supports aircraft flight control systems, including manual flight controls, stability augmentation systems, and autopilot / flight director functions.
• Provides technical expertise in control law development, analysis, and tuning, ensuring stable, robust, and compliant system behavior across the aircraft operating envelope.
• Applies flight dynamics and control theory to support system architectures, requirements development, and performance optimization.
• Collaborates closely with avionics, software, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of flight control functionality.
• Participates in the design, validation, and verification of autopilot modes, guidance laws, and control system interfaces.
• Assists in the development and review of system requirements, control system specifications, and interface documents.
• Supports system analyses including handling qualities, stability margins, failure responses, and flight control system performance assessments.
• Contributes to system safety analyses related to flight control functions, including fault detection, redundancy, and failure effects.
• Supports simulation, lab, and flight test activities, including pre-flight readiness, test planning, data review, and control law refinement.
• Tracks assigned engineering tasks, reports status, and supports root-cause investigations related to flight control performance issues.

Performs specialized engineering tasks with moderate supervision, demonstrating independent technical judgment within defined project scope

Requirements

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• BS, MS or PhD degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Approximately 5 years of experience in an avionics, flight controls, or aircraft systems engineering role.
• Strong foundation in classical and modern control theory, including stability, feedback control, and control system tuning.
• Solid understanding of aircraft flight dynamics, handling qualities, and control surface behavior.
• Experience with autopilot system design, evaluation, or tuning is required.
• Familiarity with model-based design, simulation environments, or control analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of avionics systems and software development processes, including exposure to DO-178C principles.
• Ability to read and understand system schematics, block diagrams, and avionics interfaces.
• Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., IBM DOORS) is a plus.
• Demonstrated understanding of aircraft systems integration and interfaces.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Pilot license and/or flight test exposure is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to see and manipulate small parts and documentation.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, or stretch consistent with a typical engineering office role.
• Must be able to lift and carry components up to 30 lbs.
• Must be able to participate in aircraft ground and flight test activities.
• Must be able to operate computer equipment for analysis, simulation, and documentation.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• Learn Company products and applicable flight control architectures within six (6) months.
• Learn Company procedures and engineering processes within three (3) months.
• Acquire working knowledge of the IA Quality System within three (3) months.
• Maintain a growing understanding of technologies relevant to flight control and avionics systems, including aircraft interfaces, sensors, actuators, and embedded software.
• Gain familiarity with certification standards and regulatory guidance applicable to flight control systems.

All IA positions may include duties beyond those outlined above. Employees are expected to raise questions regarding any task that may fall outside their physical or professional capabilities.
All IA associates are expected to take responsibility for personal and workplace safety, facility security, and protection of proprietary information and technologies.

U.S. PERSON REQUIREMENTS

Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have asylum or refugee status in the U.S.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

IA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.