Propulsion Controls Engineer, Motor (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Propulsion Controls Engineer, Motor (Aerospace): Designing and optimizing control systems for electric propulsion and power generation systems with an accent on motor control algorithms and safety-critical integration. Focus on implementing sensorless control techniques, developing HIL testing environments, and ensuring compliance with aviation standards.

Location: San Jose, California, United States. Unable to provide work visa sponsorship.

Company

Aerospace company building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to advance sustainable air mobility.

What you will do

• Design and validate advanced motor/generator control algorithms, including sensorless and observer-based techniques.
• Develop interfaces between flight control computers, motor/generator inverters, propulsion controls, and battery management systems.
• Create control system architectures and maintain hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments and plant models.
• Design redundant fault detection, isolation, and recovery systems for safe flight operations.
• Conduct system-level testing, iron-bird testing, and analyze flight test data for control system validation.
• Ensure full compliance with DO-178C and DO-254 aviation standards for software and hardware.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience in aircraft propulsion systems, high-performance electric motor control, or EV powertrains.
• Extensive experience with advanced motor control algorithms such as FOC, DTC, observers, and sensorless control.
• Expert proficiency in system modeling, control system simulation, and plant model development for electric machines.
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++ for real-time embedded control, and Python for analysis.
• Knowledge of battery management systems and high-voltage safety.
• Must have legal authorization to work in the US; company is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Culture & Benefits

• Commitment to an equitable, inclusive, and diverse workplace environment.
• Focus on merit-based qualifications and business needs.
• Provision of reasonable accommodations for applicants with physical or mental disabilities.