Flight Controls Systems Engineer

Apera; California; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Apera in California is seeking experienced Flight Control Systems Engineers to support next-generation fly-by-wire aircraft programs, focusing on system integration, verification, validation, and testing rather than control law design.

You will work in fast-paced development and test environments, with initial onsite onboarding and long-term 50%+ onsite presence, plus occasional travel to support aircraft testing activities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years aerospace engineering experience preferred.
• Strong background in flight control systems integration, verification, or testing.
• Experience with fly-by-wire aircraft.
• OEM aircraft experience strongly preferred.
• Hands-on exposure to HIL, ITF, or similar environments.
• Ability to operate effectively within a fast-moving development programme.
• Occasional travel may be required to support aircraft testing activities.

Responsibilities

• Support flight control system integration and verification activities.
• Work within Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and systems integration test environments.
• Execute test procedures, troubleshoot issues, and drive root-cause investigations.
• Collaborate with avionics, software, systems, and test engineering teams.
• Support aircraft-level integration and test campaigns in lab and flight test environments.

Skills

Flight control systems

System integration

Verification

Testing

HIL

ITF

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Fast-paced environment

Onsite onboarding

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering

Tools

HIL tooling

ITF infrastructure

Job description

I'm supporting a cutting-edge aerospace program and am looking to speak with experienced Flight Control Systems Engineers who enjoy working in fast-paced development and test environments.

This is an opportunity to support the development of a next-generation fly-by-wire aircraft programme, focusing on system integration, verification, validation, and test activities rather than control law design.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting flight control system integration and verification activities
• Working within Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and systems integration test environments
• Executing test procedures, troubleshooting issues, and driving root-cause investigations
• Collaborating with avionics, software, systems, and test engineering teams
• Supporting aircraft-level integration and test campaignsContributing across both lab and flight test environments

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of aerospace engineering experience preferred
• Strong background in Flight Control Systems integration, verification, or testing
• Experience with fly-by-wire aircraft
• OEM aircraft experience strongly preferred
• Hands-on exposure to HIL, Integration Test Facilities (ITF), or similar environments
• Ability to operate effectively within a fast-moving development programme
• Comfortable balancing engineering rigor with the realities of experimental aircraft development
• Initial onboarding period will require significant onsite presence
• Long-term expectation is approximately 50%+ onsite
• Occasional travel may be required to support aircraft testing activities
• Multiple positions expected to be hired over the coming months