Manager, Flight Controls & Software

Job Description

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Are you ready to bridge the gap between advanced aerodynamics and cutting‑edge autonomy? As the Senior Manager of Flight Controls & Software for the Airbus Flexrotor program, you will occupy a pivotal leadership seat at the intersection of flight physics and digital implementation. The Flexrotor is an unmanned VTOL platform pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Group 2/3 UAS. In this high‑impact role you will architect the “brain” of the aircraft – translating complex flight dynamics into executable control laws and overseeing the full software lifecycle from kickoff through P3.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, solve integration challenges across SIL, HIL, and flight‑test environments, and ensure our autonomous systems are robust, certifiable, and mission‑ready.

The Airbus Helicopters Flexrotor Program offers one of the most sophisticated small tactical unmanned aerial systems (STUAS) with vertical take‑off and landing (VTOL). It can be used day or night by U.S. and allied forces for a diverse range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) on land and at sea.

Nestled in the heart of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge in Bingen, WA, our workplace offers innovation and the ability to contribute to game‑changing solutions while enjoying the flexibility to spread your wings. Whether it’s solving complex challenges or celebrating victories, you’ll be part of a cohesive crew that thrives on innovation and the beauty that the Northwest has to offer.

• Competitive base salary, incentive compensation, and potential profit sharing; retirement savings plan and participation in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Paid time off including personal time, holidays, and a generous parental leave program.
• Comprehensive health and wellness coverage – medical (traditional and high‑deductible plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), and other supplemental benefits.

• Lead and grow a multidisciplinary team covering flight controls, embedded software, and system integration.
• Translate aircraft flight dynamics, stability, and control behavior into executable control laws and software requirements.
• Oversee development of autonomous flight control systems for VTOL fixed‑wing and rotary‑wing platforms, ensuring alignment between control algorithms, avionics architecture, and software implementation.
• Manage development across aircraft flight software, ground control station (GCS), payload, and mission system integration.
• Define and execute the software integration roadmap across the Flexrotor product lifecycle; drive system‑level integration across aircraft, GCS, datalink, and payload systems.
• Establish verification strategies across SIL (Software‑in‑the‑Loop), HIL (Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop), ground testing, and flight testing; define and deploy test infrastructure and automation frameworks.
• Lead mishap investigation, troubleshooting, and problem report dispositioning; coordinate corrective and preventive actions.
• Provide technical leadership during production, customer demos and deployments; ensure rapid resolution of in‑service and development issues.
• Manage team planning, resource allocation, scheduling, and risk management; interface with leadership, stakeholders, suppliers, and partners.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Systems, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• 8+ years of experience in flight dynamics, CLAW, and software development for airborne or autonomous systems.
• 3+ years of experience with aircraft software development, integration, and testing.
• 3+ years of experience in system engineering and cross‑domain integration.
• Strong knowledge translating flight physics into control algorithms and software implementation.
• Proficiency in C/C++, Python, and embedded…