Sr. Engineer, Control Laws (CLAWS) & Handling Qualities

Supernal, LLC; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site work five days a week

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

Supernal is seeking a Sr. Engineer, Control Law (CLAWS) & Handling Qualities to support air vehicle design, simulation, testing, and flight test activities. You will develop CLAWS models, integrate simulations, and assess handling qualities with the Flight Sciences team.

The role requires 5+ years of experience in flight dynamics, control law analysis, and the use of MATLAB/Simulink. On-site work five days a week with cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related technical field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in flight dynamics, flight controls, and handling qualities.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and simulation.
• Experience with aircraft or complex vehicle system simulation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze control laws and flight modes.
• Evaluate stability, controllability, and handling qualities using simulations.
• Support test planning, data review, and flight test support.
• Collaborate with Flight Sciences and other groups.
• Contribute to design reviews and technical discussions.

Skills

Flight dynamics

Control law analysis

MATLAB/Simulink

Pilot in the loop

Real-time simulation

Handling qualities

Data review

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or related field

Tools

FLIGHTLAB

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Rise above. Are you ready to take human possibility to a new dimension with us?

Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company that’s developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and the ground-to-air ecosystem to support the emerging industry. By creating a sustainable, integrated, and human-centered ecosystem, we are committed to taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to entering the AAM market with a product that meets the high level of safety and reliability in today’s air transportation system.

The future of mobility starts with people. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people’s ability to move – whether for work or play. Join our dynamic team as we strive to be a part of something greater where potential powers tomorrow!

Supernal provides an inviting open-space workplace designed to foster collaboration, which aligns with one of our core values. This position is required to work on-site 5 days a week.

What we do:

The Sr. Engineer, Control Law (CLAWS) & Handling Qualities Engineer supports air vehicle design, simulation, component test, and flight test activities through flight dynamics analysis, control law assessment, and handling qualities evaluation. This role executes CLAWS model development, simulation integration, and handling qualities assessment throughout development stages as part of the Flight Sciences team. The engineer collaborates regularly with the other groups in Supernal.

What you can do:

• Control Laws Development & Analysis
  • Review and assess flight control law behavior, control modes, gain schedules, and closed loop aircraft response
  • Use flight dynamics models and simulation results to evaluate stability, controllability, handling qualities, and aircraft response characteristics
  • Support analysis of stability augmentation, attitude hold, envelope protection, mode transition, and selected failure mode behavior
  • Document technical findings, risks, assumptions, and recommendations for design reviews and technical discussions
• Handling Qualities Evaluation
  • Support handling qualities evaluations using simulation results, pilot feedback, flight dynamics analysis, and applicable industry guidance
  • Assist in defining evaluation maneuvers, simulation cases, assessment criteria, and data review methods
  • Support pilot in the loop simulation activities to assess vehicle response, workload, controllability, and pilot vehicle interaction
  • Provide technical input to aircraft level design decisions influenced by handling qualities or pilot vehicle interaction
• Simulation, Verification and Test Support
  • Support the development, maintenance, and use of flight simulation environments for CLAWS and handling qualities evaluations
  • Review simulation model assumptions, control law integration, interfaces, and model fidelity for aircraft response assessment
  • Support requirement verification activities using analysis, simulation, ground test data, and flight test data
  • Assist with test planning, preflight simulation, and post test data review related to control law and handling qualities evaluations
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Work with other groups in Supernal to support integrated aircraft level technical reviews
  • Support multidisciplinary trade studies where control law behavior, vehicle dynamics, or handling qualities affect aircraft design decisions
  • Perform additional duties as assigned in support of Flight Sciences and aircraft development activities

What you can contribute:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, control systems engineering, or a related technical field required
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience
• Experience in flight dynamics, flight controls, control law analysis, handling qualities evaluation, aircraft simulation, or flight test support
• Experience using MATLAB/Simulink for modeling, simulation, control law integration, or dynamic system analysis
• Experience developing, using, or reviewing engineering simulation environments for aircraft, rotorcraft, powered lift aircraft, or other complex vehicle systems
• Experience with physics-based flight dynamics simulation tools such as FLIGHTLAB, or similar aircraft modeling and simulation tools
• Experience with real time simulation, pilot in the loop simulation, hardware in the loop testing, or integrated simulation environments preferred
• Familiarity with aircraft handling qualities, flight control modes, stability and control, system interfaces, or flight test data analysis preferred
• Familiarity with interface messaging, avionics communication protocols, or simulation interface standards such as CIGI preferred
• Experience reviewing supplier, partner, or cross functional engineering deliverables preferred
• General understanding of engineering simulation fundamentals, especially as applied to aircraft flight simulation and vehicle response evaluation
• Strong understanding of flight dynamics, stability and control, and aircraft response characteristics
• Working knowledge of flight control law concepts, including control modes, gain scheduling, stability augmentation, and mode transition behavior
• Understanding of handling qualities fundamentals, including controllability, pilot workload, and pilot vehicle interaction
• Ability to evaluate closed loop aircraft response using simulation results, flight dynamics models, and engineering judgment
• Ability to review simulation model assumptions, control law behavior, test data, and technical limitations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to independently prioritize and accomplish work within time constraints
• Travel up to approximately 10% domestically and internationally to support simulation events, design reviews, test activities, and program milestones

Base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for a bonus as part of total compensation.

The pay range for this position is: $134,636 — $164,555 USD

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other category or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at: [e-mail]

This position may include access to certain technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. export controls laws and regulations. If an export authorization from an applicable US regulatory agency is required in connection with your employment, your employment is contingent upon Supernal’s receipt of such regulatory authorization(s) and your continued compliance with all conditions and limitations pursuant to such authorization(s).