Manager, Flight Controls & Software

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Job Description:

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 isn't just an unmanned system; it’s a high-performance VTOL platform pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Group 2/3 UAS.

In this high-impact role, you won't just manage a team—you will architect the "brain" of the aircraft. From translating complex flight dynamics into executable control laws to overseeing the full software lifecycle (from Kickoff through P3), your expertise will ensure that our autonomous systems are robust, certifiable, and mission-ready. We are looking for a technical visionary who thrives in multidisciplinary environments and possesses the grit to solve complex integration challenges across SIL, HIL, and flight-test environments.

Meet the Team:
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 US and allied forces for a diverse range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) on land and at sea.
 

Your Working Environment:
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!
 

How We Care for You:

• Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)

• Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.

• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages.

Your Challenges:

Flight Controls & Software Leadership: 35%

• 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, including aircraft dynamics modeling, parameterization, stability, and control law implementation for UAS (VTOL fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms).

• Ensure alignment between control algorithms, avionics architecture, and software implementation.

• Manage development within functional scope across:

• - Aircraft flight software

• - Ground Control Station (GCS)

• - Payload and mission system integration

Software Integration & Product Development: 25%

• Define and execute the software integration roadmap across the Flexrotor product lifecycle.

• Drive system-level integration across aircraft, GCS, datalink, and payload systems.

• Ensure compatibility and scalability for:

• -Baseline aircraft capabilities

• -Enhanced/autonomous mission capabilities

• Partner with systems engineering to ensure requirements traceability and architecture consistency.

• Support continuous product improvement through iterative releases and configuration control.

Verification, Validation & Infrastructure: 20%

• Establish and manage verification strategies across:

• - SIL (Software-in-the-Loop)

• - HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop)

• - Ground testing

• - Flight testing

• Define and deploy test infrastructure and automation frameworks across multiple environments.

• Ensure verification activities align with safety, certification, and performance objectives.

• Drive data-driven validation and continuous improvement loops.

Operational Support & Issue Resolution: 10%

• Lead mishap investigation, troubleshooting, and problem report (PR) dispositioning.

• Coordinate corrective and preventive actions across flight controls and software teams.

• Provide technical leadership during production, customer demos and deployments.

• Ensure rapid and structured resolution of in-service and development issues.

Project Execution, Planning & Stakeholder Alignment: 10%

• Manage team planning including resource allocation, scheduling, and risk management.

• Interface with Airbus leadership, internal stakeholders, suppliers, and partners.

• Support program execution aligned with cost, schedule, and performance objectives.

• Contribute to supplier management for software and control system components

Your Boarding Pass:

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline from an accredited institution.

• Have eight (8) + years’ experience in flight dynamics, CLAW and software development for airborne or autonomous systems

• Have three (3) +years’ experience with aircraft software development, integration, and testing

• Have three (3) + years experience in system engineering and cross-domain integration

• Strong knowledge about translating flight physics into control algorithms and software implementation

• High attention to detail; delivers accurate, complete work with consistently minimal errors and omissions.

• Software development languages (C/C++, Python, embedded systems

Travel Required: 

• 20% Domestic and International

Citizenship: 

•  Must be a US Person under ITAR definition (U.S. Citizen, green card holder or person covered under our existing ITAR license)

Physical Requirements:

• Onsite or remote: 100% onsite. 

• Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings. Daily

• Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms. Daily.

• Speaking:  able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications. Daily.

• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts. Daily.

• Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. Daily.

• Lifting:  able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. Daily.

• Pushing / Pulling:  able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.  Occasionally.

• Sitting:  able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer. Daily.  

• Squatting / Kneeling:  able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.  Occasionally.

• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor. Daily.

• Travel:  able to travel independently and at short notice.  Occasionally.

• Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents):  able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces. Daily.

• Personal Protective Equipment required:  Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site

• Administrative position only PPE required: Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visits, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.

Annual salary range based on the required profile: $143k - $229k  Actual minimum and maximum may vary based on geographic differential. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors.

Take your career to a new level and apply online now!

A full job description will be provided to candidates who progress to the interview stage or any candidate upon request.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Aerovel Corporation

Employment Type:

US - Direct Hire

Experience Level:

Professional

Remote Type:

On-site

Job Family:

Leadership

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Job Posting End Date: 05.23.2026

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