Princ. Aircraft Systems Engineer, Flight Controls

Otto Aerospace is developing the world’s first fifth-generation business jet aimed at sustainability through advanced aerodynamics and materials. The Principal Aircraft Systems Engineer will oversee the design, development, and integration of flight control systems, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and leading cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities:

• Define flight control system requirements in line with Otto’s mission objectives and regulatory requirements
• Perform trade studies across key flight control systems and features against requirements
• Lead supplier selection and oversee supplier integration activities
• Lead flight control system development through conceptual design, preliminary design, detailed design, integration, and qualification phases
• Generate, review, and approve system safety analysis, engineering drawings, schematics, specifications, test plans & reports, and compliance documentation
• Define requirements for system integrated test lab / rig
• Coordinate with cross functional teams to define and validate flight control interfaces with adjacent systems and structures
• Lead development of flight control system CAD definition within Otto’s PLM system
• Define and show compliance for responsible systems to 14 CFR Part 23 and Part 25 regulatory requirements and interface with certification authorities
• Work with maintenance and operation experts on meeting reliability and maintainability targets
• Oversee component, system, and aircraft level functional testing, including ground and flight test
• Technical oversight and mentorship of junior engineers
• Maintain and report on activity schedule, budget, and technical status

Requirements:

• S., in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
• 8+ years of experience in the design and development of reversible primary flight controls
• 4+ years of experience in the design and development of electro-mechanically actuated secondary flight controls
• 3+ years of experience overseeing, guiding, and mentoring less experienced engineers
• 3+ years of involvement in bid, proposal, and project capture activities
• Strong knowledge of flight control systems common in modern Part 23 / Part 25 business aircraft
• Mastery of FAR Part 23 and Part 25 certification requirements and processes pertinent to the flight control system
• Strong knowledge understanding and experience with RTCA D-160G, DO-254, and SAE ARP4754A
• Advanced of Geometrical Dimensioning and Tolerancing
• Strong knowledge of industry standards and hands-on experience
• Overall knowledge of mechanical systems, propulsion, structures and key interfaces to the flight control system
• Proficiency with Dassault 3DX and/or CATIA V6 to interrogate both 3D and 2D data
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to closely coordinate with manufacturing to support MRB activities
• Experience managing supplier relationships
• Active Listening: Practice to gain insight and truly understand all project stakeholders
• Critical Thinking: Make prompt, informed and value-based decisions for the project
• Organization: Focus on agenda, schedules, frameworks, and methodologies, as well as communicating tasks, updates, progress, and blockers
• Problem Solving: Assess issues from different vantage points and formulate the best solution in addressing specific challenges
• Self-Motivation: Exude the highest level of commitment and motivation to see it through from start to finish
• Teamwork and Team Building: Establish a collaborative culture where people with unique personalities and skills happily work together and accountable to shared goal
• Strong Business Communication: Use the right language, tone and storytelling techniques when communicating, describing, or explaining issues over email, chat, reports, presentations and other forms and channels of communication