Flight Controls Engineer - Autonomy

BETA Technologies, Inc.; Burlington, Northern (VT, KY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite healthcare in Vermont

Comprehensive medical coverage

Dental and vision coverage

Stock-based compensation

Lunch provided

Job summary

BETA Technologies, Inc. in South Burlington, VT, seeks a Flight Controls Engineer focused on autonomy to develop, integrate, and validate advanced flight control systems for next-generation aircraft.

You will collaborate with control law, software, and systems teams to enable autonomous operations, support mission execution, and ensure certification readiness in a safety-critical environment. Applicants should hold a degree in aerospace/electrical/robotics, with strong MATLAB/Simulink skills,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
• Experience with flight control systems or GNC.
• Strong understanding of control systems and aircraft dynamics.
• Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink or similar modeling tools.
• Familiarity with embedded systems and real-time software environments.
• Experience developing or integrating autonomous systems, robotics, or decision-making algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Support integration and validation of flight control systems enabling autonomous operation.
• Contribute to autonomy architecture including mode management and state machines.
• Integrate flight control systems with navigation, FMS, and ground control interfaces.
• Develop and execute test plans across simulation and flight test environments.
• Analyze flight test data to evaluate control and autonomy performance.
• Ensure compliance with certification standards and safety-critical development practices.

Skills

Flight controls

GNC

Control theory

Autonomy integration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Embedded systems

C/C++

Python

Job description

At BETA Technologies, we apply our intellectual curiosity, passion for aviation , and commitment to sustainability toward a shared mission of revolutionizing electric aviation. Regardless of the position one holds, each team member brings their talent and desire to positively impact the environment and lives of others in a refreshing, vibrant, and inclusive culture.

We are seeking a Flight Controls Engineer with a strong focus on autonomy to support the development, integration, and validation of advanced flight control systems for next-generation aircraft. This role sits at the intersection of flight controls, guidance, navigation, and autonomous system development, enabling increasingly capable and certifiable autonomous operations.

The ideal candidate will work closely with control law, software, and systems teams to integrate autonomy functions with the flight control system and broader vehicle architecture. This includes supporting autonomous behaviors such as mission execution, contingency management, and vehicle decision-making. The role requires close collaboration with simulation, systems engineering, and flight test teams to ensure robust, safe, and scalable autonomy solutions.

How you will contribute to revolutionizing electric aviation:

• Support integration and validation of flight control systems enabling autonomous and semi-autonomous operation
• Contribute to autonomy architecture, including mode management, state machines, and decision logic
• Integrate flight control systems with Flight Management Systems (FMS), navigation systems, and offboard/ground control interfaces
• Support system-level requirements development, traceability, and verification for autonomy features
• Develop and execute test plans across simulation, Iron Bird, and flight test environments
• Analyze flight test data to evaluate control system and autonomy performance
• Ensure compliance with certification standards and safety-critical development practices
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to mature autonomy capabilities from concept through flight

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field
• Experience with flight control systems or guidance, navigation, and control (GNC)
• Strong understanding of control systems and aircraft dynamics
• Experience with MATLAB/ Simulink or similar modeling and simulation tools
• Familiarity with embedded systems and real-time software environments
• Experience developing or integrating autonomous systems, robotics, or decision-making algorithms

Above and Beyond Qualifications:

• Experience with eVTOL , UAV, or advanced aircraft programs
• Familiarity with DO-178C, DO-331, ARP4754 , or similar certification frameworks
• Experience with state estimation, sensor fusion, or path planning algorithms
• Exposure to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), Iron Bird, or flight test campaigns
• Programming experience in C/C++ or Python
• Understanding of communication systems for autonomy (radio links, datalinks, ground control systems)

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Based in South Burlington, VT; on-site presence required to support labs, rigs, and integrated testing. Occasional travel to test sites and suppliers as needed.

The wage listed here reflects our best faith estimate for this role. We pay competitively and base compensation on a variety of factors including skills, experience, industry background, and the evolving needs of the role. We remain committed to fair and equitable pay and we're happy to discuss during the interview process.

Compensation

$125,000 — $150,000 USD

Build electric airplanes with us!

BETA offers a competitive Total Compensation package designed to support you now and as you grow with us. This role includes both Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units for all full-time team members, so everyone shares in our success. You’ll have access to onsite healthcare in Vermont, comprehensive medical coverage, dental and vision, short- and long-term disability, and paid parental leave. We also take care of the everyday details with daily lunch provided, and yes—flight lessons are part of the experience, along with a range of additional perks that make work here genuinely rewarding.

We encourage all driven candidates to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. BETA complies with all applicable federal, state and local non-discrimination laws and does not tolerate discrimination of any kind in our workplace.

Employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. BETA Technologies participates in E-Verify.

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