Flight Controls Engineer

Job Description

STC is a science and engineering research and services support company with proven expertise and experience spanning research, development, test, and evaluation in areas including aerospace engineering, earth and atmospheric sciences, chemical and biological defense, military systems and technology, and software development.

• Employment Category: Full Time / Temporary
• Location: NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), Edwards AFB, CA
• Schedule: 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM, 9/80 compressed schedule. Flight test support may require early morning, late evening, extended-day, or weekend work depending on mission requirements.
• Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance
• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen

$140,000 - $200,000

The Research Engineer supports NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) and the X-59 Low Boom Flight Demonstrator project during flight test and envelope expansion activities.

This role provides senior technical expertise in flight controls, flight dynamics, flying qualities, simulation comparison, control room operations, post‑flight data analysis, and flight readiness assessment for a complex digital fly‑by‑wire research aircraft.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to one of NASA's most visible experimental flight programs, where expert judgment, disciplined analysis, and real‑time engineering support directly influence flight safety and mission success.

• Evaluate flight control system performance for a digital fly‑by‑wire aircraft
• Assess handling qualities, stability margins, aircraft dynamics, and flight control behavior
• Perform post‑flight data analysis using both time‑domain and frequency‑domain techniques
• Compare flight data against simulations, predictions, control law expectations, and test objectives

• Support X‑59 flight test planning, envelope expansion strategy, and mission readiness activities
• Serve in control room operations during flight tests and provide real‑time engineering assessment
• Participate in pre‑flight and post‑flight reviews, technical meetings, and test activities
• Provide recommendations regarding flight readiness and adequacy of flight systems for continued expansion

• Support pre‑ and post‑flight simulation evaluations using X‑59 simulation tools
• Use flight test data systems and simulation comparisons to identify trends, anomalies, and risks
• Evaluate simulation fidelity and support ongoing simulation assessments as flight data becomes available
• Work across flight controls, flying qualities, simulation, operations, range, and project teams
• Coordinate with technical teams across multiple organizations to support safe and effective test execution
• Provide expert input during airworthiness, safety, and flight readiness evaluations

• Prepare technical assessments, post‑flight analysis summaries, and engineering recommendations
• Document assumptions, methods, analysis results, risks, and conclusions clearly and concisely
• Support internal reviews, briefings, data reporting, and project decision‑making

• Support NASA's X‑59 Low Boom Flight Demonstrator during envelope expansion
• Contribute directly to flight safety, airworthiness, and mission success
• Work with high‑performing NASA, contractor, simulation, and flight test teams
• Help advance quiet supersonic flight research and next‑generation aerospace capability

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering
• 10+ years of experience as a flight controls, flight dynamics, performance, or flying qualities engineer
• Experience with design, analysis, evaluation, or testing of flight control systems for digital fly‑by‑wire aircraft
• Experience with flight testing and envelope expansion of aircraft flight control systems
• Experience with real‑time control room operations and post‑flight data analysis
  
  Ability to perform simulation comparisons and advanced flight data analysis

• 15+ years of directly…