As the Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer at Odys Aviation, you will own the controls and embedded software for propulsion power electronics on both the Laila UAV and Alta hybrid-electric VTOL programs. Your responsibilities include designing control algorithms, building high-fidelity simulation models, standing up MIL/SIL/HIL infrastructure, and delivering production firmware for aerospace certification. This is a high-ownership individual contributor role shaping the controls and simulation function as the team scales.

Responsibilities

Control Algorithms
Design, implement, and tune discrete-time control loops for PMSM drives, active rectifiers, and DC/DC converters - FOC with MTPA/MTPV, flux-weakening, sensorless observers, SVPWM/DPWM, PLLs, and digital filters.
Develop EMI-aware modulation and switching-frequency strategies for SiC stages (20-40+ kHz), managing DC-link ripple, torque ripple, and acoustic constraints in software.
Build the supervisory power-split and energy-management logic that coordinates the turbogenerator, battery, DC bus, and propulsion inverters.
Own mode transitions, startup/shutdown sequencing, and powertrain-level fault arbitration.
Build and maintain high-fidelity propulsion models (machines, SiC inverters/rectifiers, DC-link, batteries, propulsors, sensors) in MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and PLECS.
Identify parameters from bench and rig data and resolve model-vs-test discrepancies.
Stand up and run MIL/SIL/HIL environments (Typhoon HIL, OPAL-RT, Speedgoat), including automated regression and fault-injection suites with Git-based CI for real-time model releases.
Take algorithms from model to target via Embedded Coder or hand-written C/C++ on DSP platforms (TI C2000, ARM Cortex-R/M, or similar) - fixed-point implementation, FDIR, diagnostics, and safe-state behavior.
Define real-time comms and ICDs for CAN/CAN-FD/Ethernet; support dyno and iron-bird integration and correlate simulation with hardware performance.
Translate system architecture into control specs, simulation studies, and firmware requirements; flag implementation risk to the systems architect early.
Produce design specs, modeling reports, calibration guides, and verification evidence aligned to DO-178C, DO-254, and ARP4754B; help standardize templates and review processes for the controls/sim workflow as we grow.

Requirements

8+ years developing controls and embedded software for high-power motor drives or power converters.
Deep, hands-on expertise in PMSM control: d-q theory, FOC, SVPWM/DPWM, sensorless observers, flux-weakening, and fault detection.
Working knowledge of SiC MOSFET-based stages (switching behavior, gate-driver interaction, dead-time effects, HV protection) sufficient to design control/protection logic with device physics in mind.
Fluency in MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and PLECS for powertrain modeling.
Production embedded experience: Embedded Coder or hand-coded C/C++ on DSPs, fixed-point arithmetic, real-time scheduling, on-target debugging.
A track record of leading a controls or embedded subsystem from concept to flight/field-ready.
MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or Controls preferred; candidates with a BS and significant relevant experience will also be considered.

Nice to have

Aerospace or eVTOL powertrain experience, with familiarity in FAA/EASA certification.
DO-178C experience in a regulated environment, plus exposure to DO-254, ARP4754B, FMEA/FTA, and requirements traceability.
Hands-on time with Typhoon, OPAL-RT, or Speedgoat, and Python/MATLAB test automation with Git-based CI.
Production sensorless control, wide-range flux-weakening, ride-through, or limp-mode strategies in flight or field applications.
Generator-mode/active-rectifier control for high-speed machines, including multi-three-phase PWM sync and circulating-current mitigation.
BMS/flight-control integration over CAN, CAN-FD, or Ethernet, with TSN/PTP time-sync familiarity.
SPICE experience for device-level analysis.