Sr. Propulsion Controls & Simulation Engineer

at Odys Aviation — Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for major airlines

Long Beach CAFull-timeYC-S21

What the role involves

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 <u>Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle</u> 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 (<u>Fiji Airways</u>, <u>Honeywell</u>, <u>Aramex</u>, 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 (<u>completed transition flight</u> 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.

Responsibilities

Design & develop control algorithms for high‑voltage (400–800 VDC) motor/generator drives, active rectifiers, and DC/DC converters for aircraft propulsion.

Build and maintain high‑fidelity propulsion models (machines, SiC inverters/rectifiers, DC‑link, batteries, turbines/propulsors, sensors/actuators) in MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and PLECS/PSIM; perform parameter identification from lab/rig data and ensure tight model‑to‑hardware correlation.

Architect and tune discrete‑time current/voltage/speed/torque loops (FOC with MTPA/MTPV, flux‑weakening), SVPWM/DPWM, PLLs, and digital filters with documented stability margins.

Stand up MIL/SIL/HIL environments (Typhoon HIL/OPAL‑RT/Speedgoat); create automated regression and fault‑injection tests; release real‑time model variants and close model‑vs‑bench gaps.

Implement production‑quality embedded controls via Embedded Coder or C/C++ on TI C2000‑class DSPs, including diagnostics, FDIR, safe‑state behavior, and fixed‑point implementation.

Establish a governed propulsion‑model library and data pipeline: version control, CI for models, validation metrics, requirements traceability, and calibrated datasets from iron‑bird/ground testing.

Lead model‑based trade studies and optimization to evaluate performance, safety, and cost across propulsion configurations; deliver clear recommendations and design artifacts.

Collaborate with hardware, battery/BMS, thermal, mechanical, and flight‑controls teams to define ICDs and real‑time comms (CAN/CAN‑FD/Ethernet); support dyno/iron‑bird bring‑up and tuning.

Drive EMI‑aware control strategies and modulation/switching‑frequency schedules for SiC stages; manage DC‑link ripple, torque ripple, circulating currents, and acoustic/noise constraints.

Produce engineering deliverables—control design specs, modeling reports, calibration/tuning guides, and verification evidence—aligned with aerospace development practices.

Requirements

Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Power Electronics, or related field (BS with strong relevant experience considered).

5+ years designing, simulating, and validating motor‑drive/converter controls for high‑power systems.

Deep expertise in PMSM control: d‑q transforms, discrete control design, SVPWM/DPWM, bandwidth/stability analysis, flux‑weakening, and MTPA/MTPV.

Hands‑on modeling skills in MATLAB/Simulink (Simscape, Embedded Coder) and PLECS/PSIM; demonstrated parameter ID, system identification, and statistical/model‑fit validation against test data.

Experience with HIL toolchains and test automation (Typhoon/OPAL‑RT/Speedgoat; Python/MATLAB scripting; Git‑based CI for models and code).

Proven ability to take

About Odys Aviation

Odys Aviation (formerly Craft Aero) builds vertical take-off and landing aircraft for major airlines. We cut travel time in half on the world’s busiest routes by using city helipads and local airports. The company founders are electric propulsion and automotive manufacturing experts who have spent their careers electrifying transportation systems at Virgin Hyperloop, GoogleX, Volvo, and Fisker Automotive. We’ve won two USAF Agility Prime contracts, have pre-orders and options for more than 1,000 aircraft.

Full Odys Aviation profile

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