Lead CLAW Engineer

Rise above. Are you ready to take human possibility to a new dimension with us?

Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company that’s developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and the ground-to-air ecosystem to support the emerging industry. By creating a sustainable, integrated, and human-centered ecosystem, we are committed to taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to entering the AAM market with a product that meets the high level of safety and reliability in today’s air transportation system.

The future of mobility starts with people. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people’s ability to move – whether for work or play. Join our dynamic team as we strive to be a part of something greater where potential powers tomorrow!

Supernal provides an inviting open-space workplace designed to foster collaboration, which aligns with one of our core values. This position is required to work on-site 5 days a week.

What we do: 

The Lead Flight Control Systems CLAW Engineer serves as a key member of the Flight Controls team, driving the development and deployment of algorithms for the electric vertical and take-off landing (eVTOL) vehicle. This role will involve participating in the critical analysis of aircraft stability, constructing the control architecture, and executing rigorous testing of control law implementation and dynamics. From desktop simulations to the systems integration lab, the Lead Engineer will be an integral part of the prototyping and certification process, ensuring compliance with airworthiness regulations. 

 This role supports the development of the control laws system requirements and aids in defining the system's best practices and philosophy. This role also works closely with cross-functional engineering teams to design and test control laws. This role requires the candidate to be present in the office 5 days a week. 

What you can do:

• Establish system architecture, flight modes, response type, and control strategy 


• Develop CLAW strategy for handling failures that affect aircraft handling qualities 


• Develop CLAW strategy for actuator and motor control mixing 


• Define and maintain control laws system requirements 


• Work with Human Factors to design SVO cockpit 


• Support certification activities including documents, test planning, and test reports 


• Interface with powertrain, avionics, auto-pilot and other teams for flight controls interface 


• Design and implement flight control algorithms for a VTOL aircraft with a novel configuration 


• Mastery in implementing classical and modern control law 


• Oversee and conduct trade studies between different design considerations and control schemes 


• Define and coordinate control system architecture and response types for an aircraft that might change configuration between flight regimes 


• Conduct stability and control related analyses in time and frequency domain 


• Collaborate with the systems engineering and other engineering specialty teams to define requirements related to the flight control system and system safety 


• Other duties as assigned 

What you can contribute:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or relevant engineering field required; Master’s or PhD preferred


• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in flight control algorithm design for rotary-wing and/or fixed-wing Fly-By-Wire aircraft systems (an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered)


• Ability to manage a team of 6-12 engineers


• Strong experience in analyzing flight dynamic modes


• Experience with actuator and motor control loops, mixing and blending of control surface commands, and flight testing and requirement definition


• Experience with sensor processing and Kalman filter design, different modes of aircraft flight, including vertical lift and building control laws for remotely-controlled aircraft could be beneficial


• Experience with system identification and optimization tools (CIFER, CONDUIT) and math model development of a physical system


• Familiarity with DO-178B/C, DO-160, DO-254, ARP 4754A, ARP 4761, and DO-331


• Expertise in MathWorks® tools for control algorithm development


• Familiarity with FAA part 23/25/27/29 or other certification experience


• Familiarity with aircraft handling quality requirements


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Proactive delivery of communication and follow up


• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail


• Must have the ability to independently plan, prioritize, and accomplish work within time constraints


• Experience in C++ preferred 

Click HERE or visit: https://jobs.supernal.aero/benefits to view our benefits!

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other category or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at: [email protected]

This position may include access to certain technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. export controls laws and regulations. If an export authorization from an applicable US regulatory agency is required in connection with your employment, your employment is contingent upon Supernal’s receipt of such regulatory authorization(s) and your continued compliance with all conditions and limitations pursuant to such authorization(s).