Principal Engineer, Vehicle Management Systems

Executive Recruiting Group; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Recruiting Group seeks a VMS/FBW Engineer to lead R&D of vehicle management and fly-by-wire systems for advanced aircraft.

The Principal Engineer will own system architecture, requirements, and certification activities (DO-178C/DO-331; ARP4754A/ARP4761), coordinating with teams and suppliers from concept to service entry.

Qualifications

• Degree in EE, CS, or aerospace engineering.
• 10+ years in Vehicle Management System or Fly-By-Wire development.
• Experience with certification processes (FAA/EASA) and ARP4754A/ARP4761.

Responsibilities

• Own VMS/Fly-by-wire system architecture, decomposition, requirements allocation, and ICD development for prototype and cert programs.
• Define and manage VMS interfaces with sensors, actuators, avionics, propulsion, and other aircraft systems in cross-functional teams.
• Develop safety-critical FBW software logic including state management, redundancy, health monitoring, and reversionary modes.
• Plan and support V&V activities from requirements to certification (SIL/HIL/PIL, lab, ground, flight).
• Develop test procedures, pass/fail criteria, and data analysis for safety-critical functions and timing.

Skills

VMS/FBW systems

Architecture leadership

DO-178C/DO-331

ARPP4754A/ARP4761

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering

Tools

Model-Based Design

SIL/HIL/PIL testing

Job description

We are seeking a VMS/FBW Engineer who will support our flight performance and safety. As the Principal Engineer, you will work with research & development of VMS including critical electronics such as VMS computer which will take care of all critical sub-systems operation (Flight Control Propulsion System, Flight Control Surface Actuation System, Power Supply

System, Avionics etc.)Report to the VMS and be responsible for all activities related to the

Duties:

• Own VMS/Fly-by-wire system architecture, functional decomposition, requirements allocation, and ICD development for prototype and type-certification aircraft.
• Define and manage VMS interfaces with sensors, actuators, avionics, propulsion, PSS/FCPS, and other aircraft systems, coordinating with cross-functional teams and
• Develop and mature safety-critical FBW system/software logic, including state management, redundancy management, synchronization, health monitoring, and reversionary modes.
• Develop model-based software requirements and models aligned with DO-178C/DO-331, and support software/hardware integration through closed-loop VMSC operation.
• Plan and support V&V activities from requirements through certification, including SIL, HIL, PIL, lab, ground, and flight testing.
• Develop test procedures, pass/fail criteria, and data analysis to verify safety-critical functions, failure management, timing, and robustness.
• Support safety assessments and certification activities, including FHA/PSSA/SSA, FTA/FMEA, compliance documentation, SOI readiness, and design reviews.
• Serve as the onsite technical focal point for issue resolution, dependency management, supplier coordination, and schedule/risk alignment.
• Guide engineers and drive technical decisions, while communicating status and risks to leadership and supporting IDR/PDR/CDR and certification review readiness.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering area, or a related area.
• 10+ years of deep, hands-on experience in Vehicle management system and/or Fly-By-Wire Systems development, physical/control architecture design, and testing in a Military, Commercial, or business aircraft development programs.
• 10+ years of demonstrated experience specific to Vehicle management system and/or Fly-By-Wire System Integration, flight control computer, electric motor/ inverter, electro-mechanical actuation, and associated technologies and managing system suppliers as the technical point of contact.
• Integration of Control Laws, Monitors and Redundancy Management
• Familiarity with FAA and EASA certification processes.
• In-depth and current knowledge of Part 23/25/27 and/or 29 regulatory requirements, including system development per ARP4754A and ARP4761.
• Experience with all phases of aircraft development from concept to certification and entry into service.
• Experience with system or equipment (Hardware and Software) development per ARP-4754A, DO-254, DO-178C.
• Familiarity with Model Based Design and DO-331.
• Qualification of equipment’s as per DO-160G and other MIL STD’s.
• Familiarity with FAA and EASA certification processes.