AD&D Systems Engineer - Advanced Flight Controls Staff

Job Summary

The AD&D Systems Engineer - Advanced Flight Controls Staff is a visionary and hands-on engineer responsible for the early-stage development of new and innovative advanced flight control systems within the Cirrus Advanced Design and Development (AD&D) department.  This position will own the initial phases of advanced flight control systems development — from initial ideation through, requirements capture, technology maturation, developmental testing/simulation, conceptual design, and well into requirements validation to ensure a robust solution is delivered to Product Development.

This role is a key part of a small, agile team at the intersection of multiple disciplines, collaborating with avionics, electrical, mechanical, powerplant, software, flight physics, flight test, manufacturing, and certification teams to ensure fully integrated, high‑performing, safe, and compliant flight control systems.  The AD&D Systems Engineer – Advanced Flight Controls Staff thrives in a fast‑paced environment, navigates ambiguity with confidence, and brings forward‑thinking energy to solving complex system‑level challenges that push the status quo, all while ensuring a safe and high-quality product for our customers.

 

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Guide and provide technical ownership of advanced flight control systems from initial ideation through conceptual design and into practical product paths, including but not limited to primary flight control, automatic flight control, lift/drag augmentation, engine control, actuation, flight sensors, signal processing, and navigation.
• Engineer and refine requirements and objectives through stakeholder engagement and iterative experimentation.
• Develop, review, and manage system level requirements across functional, performance, safety, human factors, environmental, operational, regulatory and service domains.
• Create and manage development plans focused on early-stage exploration, requirements capture, and concept validation.
• Conduct trade studies, analyses, and verification activities to validate architectures and design choices.
• Generate and test hypotheses through hands-on prototyping, simulation, and evaluation, with minimal supervision.
• Drive system maturation efforts, including lab testing, flight testing, supplier engagement, and integration activities.
• Lead and participate in multi-disciplinary design reviews throughout early development phases.
• Conduct early phase system safety and system development assurance activities (FHA, PSSA, FMEAs, requirements reviews, requirements validation, etc.)
• Generate engineering data and documentation, including but not limited to design notes, schematics, models, drawings, specifications, test plans, and reports.
• Translate verbal direction and vision into actionable design objectives and development strategies.
• Collaborate directly with pilots, mechanics, and experimental technicians, as well as external stakeholders such as Product Development, Certification, and Production teams.
• Make quick, sound engineering decisions with limited data.
• Foster a culture of rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration, learning from both success and failure.
• Support early phases of certification projects, including interfacing with civil aviation authorities and ODA members.
• Communicate complex ideas effectively and efficiently to diverse audiences.
• Travel up to 25% may be required.

 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (or related STEM discipline); Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in aviation, aerospace, or advanced product development.
• Broad technical skillset related to aircraft, with strong understanding of advanced flight control systems and supporting systems.
• Previous early product development experience – from a clean sheet to working prototypes.
• Proven track record of producing results when developing new designs or products.
• Willingness to take smart risks, accept accountability, and fix mistakes.
• Intrinsic motivation to drive progress - to explore, challenge, and innovate – and