Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer

ABOUT ODYS

Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle https://youtu.be/fyI4XMsF2rM by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.

To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We’re deploying aircraft with launch partners (Fiji Airways https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-09-20/fiji-airways-plans-connect-pacific-islands-laila-vtol, Honeywell https://aerospace.honeywell.com/us/en/about-us/press-release/2024/07/honeywell-odys-aviation-to-collaborate-on-uncrewed-aircraft-operations-in-the-middle-east-and-pacific, Aramex https://evtolinsights.com/2024/01/odys-aviation-aramex-announce-collaboration-to-develop-cargo-operations-in-uae-and-oman/, US Navy) beginning in 2026 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.

We’re a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops (completed transition flight https://youtu.be/AffdzQDUv2U faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we’ve been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Odys Aviation is at the forefront of developing hybrid-electric aircraft to enable sustainable regional air travel. As the Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer, you will be responsible for the controls, embedded software, and simulation infrastructure supporting our SiC-based propulsion power electronics for both the Laila (UAV) and Alta (Hybrid-electric VTOL) programs.

This role focuses on controls and software development. You will be tasked with designing and tuning algorithms for our motor drives, active rectifiers, and DC/DC converters, as well as the hybrid system controller that coordinates these components. Additionally, you will develop high-fidelity models to predict their behavior, establish MIL/SIL/HIL infrastructures for verification, and deliver the production firmware for operation. The design of power electronics hardware will remain with peer engineers; your responsibility is to ensure their systems achieve optimal performance.

The primary deliverable is a propulsion stack that aligns with simulation results, complies with aerospace certification requirements, and is robust enough to perform effectively in real flight conditions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, implement, and optimize discrete-time control loops for PMSM drives, active rectifiers, and DC/DC converters, including FOC with MTPA/MTPV, flux-weakening, sensorless observers, SVPWM/DPWM, PLLs, and digital filters.
• Develop the Hybrid System Controller (HSC), which encompasses supervisory power-split and energy-management logic to coordinate the turbogenerator, battery, DC bus, and propulsion inverters. Responsibilities include managing mode transitions, startup and shutdown sequencing, and powertrain-level fault arbitration.
• Develop EMI-aware modulation and switching-frequency strategies for SiC stages operating at frequencies greater than 20–40 kHz; manage DC-link ripple, torque ripple, and acoustic constraints through software.
• Build and maintain high-fidelity propulsion models - including machines, SiC inverters/rectifiers, DC-link, batteries, propulsors, and sensors - using MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and PLECS. Identify parameters from bench and rig data and resolve discrepancies between models and experimental results.
• Establish and manage MIL/SIL/HIL environments using Typhoon HIL, OPAL-RT, and Speedgoat. Develop automated regression and fault-injection test suites, and release real-time model variants through Git-based continuous integration.
• Transition algorithms from model to target via Embedded Coder or hand-written C/C++ for DSP platforms (such as TI C2000, ARM Cortex-R/M, or equivalent). Deliver production firmware, including fixed-point implementation, fault detection, isolation and recovery (FDIR), diagnostics, and safe-state behavior.
• Translate system architecture into control specifications, simulation studies, and firmware requirements, and proactively communicate implementation risks to the systems architect.
• Define real-time communications and interface control documents (ICDs) for CAN/CAN-FD/Ethernet protocols. Support dyno and iron-bird system integration, correlate simulation with hardware performance, and iterate designs to meet specifications.
• Produce deliverables aligned with DO-178C, DO-254, and ARP4754B standards, including design specifications, modeling reports, calibration guides, and verification evidence. Establish review processes and standardize templates for the controls and simulation workflow.

REQUIREMENTS

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or Controls; candidates with a BS and significant relevant experience will also be considered.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in developing controls and embedded software for high-power motor drives or power converters.
• In-depth expertise in PMSM control systems, including d-q theory, field-oriented control (FOC), space vector PWM (SVPWM)/discontinuous PWM (DPWM), observers, sensorless techniques, flux-weakening, and fault detection.
• Proficient knowledge of SiC MOSFET-based stages, encompassing switching behavior, gate-driver interactions, dead-time effects, and high-voltage protection—sufficient to design control and protection logic in adherence with device physics, even if not responsible for schematic drafting.
• Skilled in MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and PLECS for powertrain modeling, with familiarity in SPICE for device-level analysis.
• Proven experience with MIL/SIL/HIL methodologies, including establishing new hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments and developing automated test suites.
• Experience in production embedded implementation utilizing Embedded Coder or hand-coded C/C++ on DSPs, fixed-point arithmetic, real-time scheduling, and on-target debugging.
• Demonstrated ability to lead controls and embedded subsystem development from concept.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Aerospace or eVTOL powertrain experience, with familiarity in FAA/EASA certification processes.
• Experience with DO-178C compliance in regulated environments, as well as working familiarity with DO-254, ARP4754B, FMEA/FTA, and requirements traceability.
• Hands-on experience with Typhoon, OPAL-RT, and Speedgoat platforms, utilizing advanced Python/MATLAB test automation and Git-based continuous integration for models and code.
• Practical experience in production sensorless control, wide-range flux-weakening, ride-through, and limp-mode strategies, either in flight or field applications.
• Expertise in generator-mode and active-rectifier control for high-speed machines, including multi-three-phase PWM synchronization and circulating-current mitigation.
• Integration of BMS and flight controls over CAN, CAN-FD, and Ethernet, with familiarity in TSN/PTP time-synchronization.