AD&D System Automation Engineer Staff

Overview

This role serves as the technical authority for systems management and automation related development and architecture for the Cirrus Advanced Design and Development (AD&D) Group. This role establishes the long-term automation technology roadmap, defines architecture principles and guardrails, and leads early-stage concept development from initial ideation and hypothesis generation through prototyping, simulation, and technology maturation. Operating at the intersection of sensing, controls, avionics, embedded systems, networking, and flight deck technologies, the position ensures strong cross-functional alignment and cohesive system integration.

Beyond technical direction and execution, this role drives early safety, certification planning, and verification strategy for automated behaviors in collaboration with certification, safety and program leadership. The Principal Engineer will work closely with Subject Matter Experts in avionics, electrical, mechanical, human factors, software systems and flight test. This role also leads iterative learning cycles to refine concepts through rapid prototyping, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

As a senior technical authority, the Staff Engineer coaches engineers and internal and external stakeholders, elevating the organization's capability in aircraft automation and strengthening the engineering culture that supports innovation and technical excellence.

• Work closely with Chief Engineers, systems engineering, avionics, software engineers, test pilots, and human factors engineers to develop desired system functions, behaviors and pilot interaction.
• Define automation mode logic and system behavior (including failure management, annunciation, and crew alerting) in partnership with systems engineers, human factors and flight test.
• Develop, prototype, and validate architectures for aircraft system management and automation on new and existing aircraft platforms, including integration and scalability considerations.
• Architect and prototype embedded control solutions involving sensing, actuation, and feedback logic.
• Assist in engineering, stakeholder alignment, concept validation, rapid experimentation and maintain traceability to test evidence appropriate to the development stage.
• Particpate in technical reviews and drive resolution of risks, hazards, and integration issues.
• Assist in defineing validation and verification strategies across SIL/HIL/lab/flight test environments including objective entry/exit criteria for each phase of development.
• Help establish reusable engineering frameworks, standards, and patterns for controls, networking, sensing and software integration.
• Participate in conducting early phase system safety and system development assurance activities (FHA, PSSA, FMEAs, requirements reviews, requirements validation, etc.) in collaboration with system safety and certification stakeholders.
• Generate engineering data and documentation, such as trade studies, interface definitions, design notes, schematics, models, drawings, specifications, test plans, and reports.
• Translate verbal direction and vision into actionable design objectives and development strategies.
• Foster a culture of rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration, learning from both success and failure while maintaining disciplined engineering practices.
• Support early phases of certification projects, including interfacing with civil aviation authorities and ODA members and contribution to compliance planning and artifact readiness. Define and lead execution of Technical Readiness Level (TRL) maturation plans including transition criteria to Product Development.
• Complete assigned tasks on time and budget.
• Communicate effectively and efficiently to diverse audiences.
• Travel up to 25% may be required.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Software, Systems, or Computer Engineering. Master's degree preffered.
• 7+ years of experience with program-level technical impact in automation, embedded controls, or aircraft systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency in control logic and/or algorithm development using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
• Hands-on test experience including instrumentation, data acquisition, and test execution.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and coordinate effectively across multiple different technical and manufacturing disciplines.
• Willingness to take smart risks, accept accountability, and fix mistakes.
• Intrinsic motivation to drive progress - to explore, challenge, and innovate – and to minimize administrative overhead along the way.
• Experienced in iterative development cycles, with a strong ability to identify non-viable solutions early and reorient technical strategy quickly.
• Strong hands-on skills in prototyping, simulation, and testing, and comfortable operating under tight deadlines with minimal direction and in a shop or lab environment.
• Proficient in creating engineering design definition - 3D models, 2D drawings, sketches, logical diagrams ,…