Senior Staff Engineer, Flight Controls - X-BAT (R4812)

Job Description

In this role, you will own the flight control system for XBAT, with responsibility for delivering stable, predictable, and operationally robust performance across all phases of flight, including vertical takeoff, hover, transition out-bound, wing-borne flight, transition in-bound, and precision recovery.

What you’ll do

• Design and deliver the flight control system across all phases of flight including control allocation strategies that manage actuator redundancy, saturation, and degraded operations.
• Lead development of high-fidelity 6DOF simulation environments and ensure accurate pre‑flight performance predictions.
• Define and execute the verification strategy, including linear analysis, Monte Carlo campaigns, disturbance/sensitivity/degraded operation testing, and HIL validation.
• Diagnose and resolve simulation‑to‑flight mismatches, including unidentified dynamics and modeling gaps.
• Support flight test operations, making risk‑informed decisions and driving rapid iteration between flights.
• Integrate control systems with propulsion, aero, actuation, sensors, state estimation, and autonomy, ensuring the vehicle behaves predictably under real‑world disturbances and uncertainties.
• Mentor and guide engineers while setting the technical standard for control system performance and rigor.

Required qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in flight controls / GNC on real flight vehicles, with demonstrated ownership from design through flight test.
• Demonstrated experience with control allocation design and implementation for over‑actuated systems with provisions for saturation and failure accommodation.
• Strong background in:
  • Flight dynamics and 6DOF simulation.
  • Control theory and nonlinear systems.
• Experience executing full V&V cycles, including pre‑flight performance prediction, Monte Carlo analysis, flight readiness assessment, and post‑flight analysis.
• Proficiency in C++, MATLAB/Simulink, and/or Python, with experience deploying real‑time algorithms.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Preferred qualifications

• VTOL or transition aircraft experience where control blending and allocation were critical to success.
• Autonomous systems or missile/UAV GNC background.
• Experience with flight safety, airworthiness, and mission assurance.
• Familiarity with:
  • Sensor and air data systems.
  • Fault‑tolerant or adaptive control.
  • CI/CD pipelines and modern DevSecOps practices.
• Experience with HIL or integrated simulation/test environments and Linux‑based development workflows (Git, etc.).
• Experience operating in rapid development environments with tight iteration loops between simulation and test.

$220,000 - $340,000 a year

Full‑time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity.

Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment).

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.