Flight Test Engineer – Flight Controls

About Sarla Aviation: Sarla Aviation is at the forefront of revolutionizing urban air mobility with its cutting-edge eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-off and Landing) aircraft featuring innovative tilt-rotor technology. Sarla Aviation, a pioneer in the development of sustainable, efficient, and safe air transportation systems, is dedicated to influencing the future of aviation. We are seeking a skilled and driven Flight Test Engineer – Flight Controls to join our expanding team and contribute to the success of our eVTOL program. About the Role We're looking for a Flight Test Engineer who brings flight controls domain expertise alongside flight test rigor — someone who can review a control law update with the GNC team in the morning, run a handling qualities test point in the afternoon, and lead the investigation when aircraft response doesn't match prediction. This role closes the loop between flight test execution and flight controls design. You will be the Flight Controls team's first point of contact within Flight Test, ensuring control law changes are validated rigorously before flight and that flight observations translate into actionable design feedback. Key Responsibilities Test Planning & Risk Management Develop flight test plans, schedules, and operational workflows aligned with program milestones and safety objectives Participate in test readiness reviews to assess control law maturity, envelope clearance, and team preparedness Conduct hazard analyses and risk assessments with a focus on control-law-induced hazards (PIO susceptibility, mode transitions, degraded-mode behavior), and integrate mitigation strategies into test design Design test points for envelope expansion, handling qualities evaluation, and control system validation across hover, transition, and cruise regimes Aircraft & System Readiness Coordinate with engineering teams to verify aircraft configurations, control law builds, and gain sets ahead of test events Oversee pre-flight readiness activities and manage logistical needs at test sites Support flight controls validation through SIL/HIL benches, piloted simulator sessions, and system-level checks Test Execution & Validation Lead or assist with HIL, SIL, PiL, and piloted simulator sessions to validate control law functionality and handling characteristics Execute pre-flight and post-flight inspections and operational checklists during live testing Monitor telemetry and aircraft response in real time, analyze data against predicted behavior, and provide inputs for test progression decisions Uphold safety protocols, particularly during envelope expansion Post-Test Analysis & Reporting Extract, organize, and analyze flight test data using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent tools — including time-domain response analysis, frequency-domain identification, and stability margin assessment Compare flight data against simulation predictions and document model fidelity gaps Document outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for control law refinement Participate in post-flight debriefs with cross-functional teams Flight Controls Liaison Act as the single point of contact between the Flight Test team and the Flight Controls / GNC design team Participate in control law design reviews and assess testability of incoming releases Serve as the first responder for field debugging and resolution of control-related anomalies Translate flight test findings into clear, reproducible feedback — including handling qualities ratings, anomaly characterization, and model validation observations Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline; Master's preferred for candidates with research focus in flight dynamics or controls 2–3 years of experience in flight testing, flight controls development, GNC, or aircraft dynamics Strong foundation in flight dynamics, classical and modern control theory, and aircraft stability and control — comfortable reasoning about transfer functions, state-space models, gain/phase margins, and closed-loop stability Working proficiency in MATLAB and Simulink — comfortable reading production control law models, tracing signal flow, and running offline simulations Familiarity with model-based design workflows and autocode generation (Embedded Coder, Simulink Coder, or equivalent) Proficiency in Python for test automation, log parsing, data analysis, and plotting; working knowledge of Excel Exposure to system identification techniques and tools (CIFER, frequency sweeps, doublet inputs) is a strong plus Familiarity with handling qualities frameworks — Cooper-Harper rating scale, ADS-33, MIL-STD-1797, or equivalent VTOL-specific criteria Familiarity with Git, Jira or equivalent issue tracking, and software configuration management practices Strong understanding of flight test operational frameworks, readiness reviews, and risk management Familiarity with Indian and international regulatory frameworks for advanced air systems DGCA Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) for Small/Medium drones is desirable Preferred Qualifications Hands-on experience with eVTOL, helicopter, or rotorcraft control challenges — hover stabilization, transition control, control allocation across redundant effectors Exposure to flight control software stacks (PX4, ArduPilot, or proprietary autopilots) and GCS tools (QGroundControl, MAVLink ecosystem) Experience with piloted simulators, motion platforms, or fixed-base engineering simulators for control law evaluation Familiarity with SC-VTOL, Part 23/27 certification frameworks, or DO-178C / ARP4754A safety-critical software processes Background or coursework in nonlinear control, robust control, or adaptive control techniques Willingness to relocate and work in dynamic test environments with variable schedules Physically capable of supporting outdoor test activities and field operations Strong collaboration, communication, and analytical skills Commitment to safety, quality, and operational discipline Why Join Us? Be part of a world-class team where your work directly shapes the future of urban air mobility. Thrive in a culture of diversity, inclusion, and innovation, where your perspective is valued. Enjoy a competitive compensation package with strong opportunities for growth in a rapidly evolving industry. How to Apply: Submit your resume through our website www.sarla-aviation.com or via the job post and join us in our journey to redefine aerospace with safety, integrity, and groundbreaking innovation at its core. Sarla Aviation is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workspace, championing equality, and empowering every individual. We believe that our strength lies in our differences, not just our similarities. Therefore, we warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age. Join us at Sarla Aviation, where your unique background and perspective are not just welcomed—they are celebrated.