Senior Staff Controls Engineer

At Wisk, we're transforming the future of urban mobility through safe, all-electric, autonomous flight. We are a passionate team working together toward a sustainable future, solving high-impact problems that have never been solved before. By delivering everyday flight for everyone, we're making it possible to spend less time getting there and more time being there. If you want to be part of shaping the future of mobility, then read on!

We are looking for a Sr. Staff Controls Engineer to join our Control Laws Development Team in designing an exciting new class of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles for the emerging frontier of urban-air mobility. You will be responsible for designing, implementing and analyzing controls algorithms, state estimation methods, and self-flying autonomous software. You will model and create software that runs on full scale airplanes, as well as ultimately supporting the flight tests of those new algorithms. You will develop and bring about safe autonomous flight by following standard aviation certification processes, performing rigorous testing and utilizing formal controls analysis techniques. This position also has the potential to expand into a team lead role with direct reports, after onboarding and becoming familiar with the team’s workflows and tools.

Responsibilities:

• Develop prototypes and improve existing solutions
• Conduct analysis activities to support design requirements
• Develop and verify requirements for satisfying SW certification objectives
• Take ownership of features and design new algorithms and software logic
• Implement new models in our flight physics simulation engine using first principles, empirical data, or system identification
• Obtain a high level of familiarity with our vehicle’s avionics, software architecture, mode & controller algorithms, and the team’s analysis tools 
• Develop new GNC tools using software best practices in MATLAB/Simulink
• Contribute to software development and verification activities via a Model-Based Design (MBD) approach for developing high-integrity SW
• Support HIL and flight test activities in debugging anomalies and issues

Requirements:

• M.S. or PhD. in Aeronautical/Aerospace or Mechanical/Electrical Engineering with at least 12 years of industry experience
• Strong knowledge of estimation and control theory
• Practical experience with design, analysis, implementation and verification of control systems
• Strong MATLAB programming & Simulink modeling skills
• Strong simulation background
• Strong linear algebra and calculus skills

Desired:

• Experience with robust control and control allocation design methods
• Experience with state estimation and sensors (accelerometers, gyros, magnetometer, GPS, pressure transducers, etc.)
• Strong understanding of fixed wing and rotorcraft aerodynamics and aircraft flight dynamics
• Experience writing software requirements for controls algorithms
• Experience with certification of control systems
• Knowledge of Subpart B certification rules and means of compliance
• Experience certifying control systems through the aid of simulation
• Team leader with an interest in managing engineers and driving priorities
• Experience with successfully adopting agile and scrum methodologies
• Results and goals oriented; a true professional who can help drive the team to deliver on budget and on time

We are located in Mountain View just a couple of hundred feet from Shoreline Lake and its surrounding walking/jogging trails. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision and life insurance, alternative work schedule (9/80), flexible time off, 11 company holidays, a 401(k) plan with 50% company matching vested immediately, communication allowance, and education assistance. And on top of all that, we also offer a variety of perks such as flight lessons, wellness allowances, employee referral bonus, charitable giving match, and much more. 

Wisk Aero provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Wisk Aero abides by applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

Wisk Aero is an E-Verify employer.