AD&D System Automation Engineer Principal

Job Summary

As the AD&D Principal Engineer for System Automation, this role serves as the technical authority for systems management and automation related development and architecture for the Cirrus Advanced Design and Development (AD&D) Group. This role establishes the long-term automation technology roadmap, defines architecture principles and guardrails, and leads early-stage concept development from initial ideation and hypothesis generation through prototyping, simulation, and technology maturation. Operating at the intersection of sensing, controls, avionics, embedded systems, networking, and flightdeck technologies, the position ensures strong cross-functional alignment and cohesive system integration.

Beyond technical direction and execution, this role drives early safety, certification planning, and verification strategy for automated behaviors in collaboration with certification, safety and program leadership. The Principal Engineer will work closely with Subject Matter Experts in avionics, electrical, mechanical, human factors, software systems and flight test. This role also leads iterative learning cycles to refine concepts through rapid prototyping, evaluation, and continuous improvement. As a senior technical authority, the Principal Engineer coaches engineers and internal and external stakeholders, elevating the organization’s capability in aircraft automation and strengthening the engineering culture that supports innovation and technical excellence.

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Serve as AD&D technical authority for system automation to reduce pilot workload, simplify vehicle operations, and increase safety.
• Work closely with Chief Engineers, systems engineering, avionics, software engineers, test pilots, and human factors engineers to develop desired system functions, behaviors, and pilot interaction.
• Define automation mode logic and system behavior (including failure management, annunciation, and crew alerting) in partnership with systems engineers, human factors, and flight test.
• Develop, prototype, and validate architectures for aircraft system management and automation, including integration and scalability considerations.
• Architect and prototype embedded control solutions involving sensing, actuation, and feedback logic.
• Lead requirements engineering, stakeholder alignment, concept validation, and rapid experimentation and maintain traceability to test evidence appropriate to the development stage.
• Lead technical reviews and drive resolution of risks, hazards, and integration issues.
• Define validation and verification strategies across SIL/HIL/lab/flight test environments including objective entry/exit criteria for each phase of development.
• Establish reusable engineering frameworks, standards, and patterns for controls, networking, sensing and software integration.
• Conduct early phase system safety and system development assurance activities (FHA, PSSA, FMEAs, requirements reviews, requirements validation, etc.) in collaboration with system safety and certification stakeholders.
• Generate engineering data and documentation, such as trade studies, interface definitions, design notes, schematics, models, drawings, specifications, test plans, and reports.
• Translate verbal direction and vision into actionable design objectives and development strategies.
• Foster a culture of rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration, learning from both success and failure while maintaining disciplined engineering practices.
• Support early phases of certification projects, including interfacing with civil aviation authorities and ODA members and contribution to compliance planning and artifact readiness.
• Define and lead execution of Technical Readiness Level (TRL) maturation plans including transition criteria to Product Development.
• Complete assigned tasks on time and budget.
• Communicate effectively and efficiently to diverse audiences.
• Travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Software, Systems, or Computer Engineering. Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience with program-level technical impact in automation, embedded controls, or aircraft systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency in control logic and/or algorithm development using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
• Hands-on test experience including instrumentation, data acquisition, and test execution.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and coordinate effectively across multiple different technical and manufacturing disciplines.
• Willingness to take smart risks, accept accountability, and fix mistakes.
• Intrinsic motivation to drive progress - to explore, challenge, and innovate – and to minimize administrative overhead along the way.
• Experienced in iterative development cycles, with a strong ability to identify non-viable solutions early and reorient technical strategy quickly.
• Strong hands-on skills in prototyping, simulation, and testing, and comfortable operating under tight deadlines with minimal direction and in a shop or lab environment.
• Proficient in creating engineering design definition - 3D models, 2D drawings, sketches, logical diagrams , schematics, and engineering specifications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and technical writing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with fluency in English.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Private pilot certificate or personal aviation experience.
• Proven track record of producing results when developing new designs or products.
• Previous early-stage aircraft development program experience.
• Experience defining and executing validation and verification strategies across multiple test venue types (e.g., HIL, SIL, bench testing, ground vehicle testing, flight testing).
• Expertise in avionics, aircraft networks, embedded systems, sensing, signal processing, and feedback control.
• Experience with FAA certification frameworks (Part 23/27, ARP4754A, DO-160, DO-178C, DO-254).
• Working knowledge of system development and safety standards such as AC 23.1309-1E, SAE ARP4754A, SAE ARP4761.
• Familiarity with model-based systems engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a technical authority influencing executives, suppliers, and certification partners.
• Experience developing and managing complex requirement sets.
• Experience defining system interfaces, crew indications, and flight manual procedures.
• Familiarity with PTC products (e.g. CREO, Windchill), Mathworks products (e.g. Matlab, Simulink), Atlassian products (e.g. Jira, Confluence), and proficient in at least one coding language.
• Experience representing systems in industry working groups or standards development.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, negotiate, and collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization, from the shop floor to the C-suite
• Bonus points if your weekends involve flying, plane spotting, or building RC aircraft.

 Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required. 

Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Our Benefits: Cirrus provides a range of exciting benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan: Dollar-for-dollar match up to 5% after 90 days, with 100% vesting after one year of employment.
• Employer-Paid Coverages: Group term life, short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, vision, dental, with additional dependent coverage options.
• Free Health Tracking: With rewards for meeting health goals.
• Generous PTO: 120+ hours accrued within the first year.
• Employee Referral Bonus: For referring talented candidates.
• Career Development: Tuition reimbursement and professional growth opportunities.
• Exclusive Discounts: Access to partner and marketplace discounts.
• Community & Engagement: Company and employee clubs at various locations.