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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # AD&D System Automation Engineer - **Company:** Cirrus Aircraft - **Location:** Duluth, MN, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $123,626.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Testing (Software), 3d Models, Address Resolution Protocols, Algorithm Design, Systems Engineering, Confluence, JIRA, Computer Engineering, Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Iterative and Incremental Development, MATLAB, Microsoft Office, Systems Development Life Cycle, Rapid Prototyping Process, Requirements Management, Signal Processing, Simulink, Software Engineering, Software Systems, Systems Architecture, System Testing, Systems Integration, Test Execution Engine, Strategies of Testing, Windchill, Mathworks, Atlassian Tools, Creo, DO-178B - **Published:** September 19, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/ad-d-system-automation-engineer-staff-duluth-mn--427a51c4-3455-4f7b-a9c0-6419cfd5d475 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Software, Systems, or Computer Engineering. Master's degree preffered. * 7+ 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. Preffered Qualifications: * Private pilot certificate or personal aviation experience. * 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., 3D Design, 3D Modeling, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol), Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), Aerospace and Defense, Aircraft Piloting, Algorithms, Analysis Skills, Atlassian JIRA, Automation, Automation Engineering, Aviation Industry, Avionics, Budgeting, Coaching, Communication Skills, Computer Engineering, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional, Documentation, Electricity, Embedded Systems, English Language, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Human Factors, Identify Issues, Instrumentation, Laboratory Testing, Leadership, MATLAB, Manufacturing, Microsoft Office, Negotiation Skills, PTC Creo, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Product Development, Prototyping, Rapid Prototyping, Requirements Management, Requirements Validation/Verification, Safety Standards, Safety Systems, Schematics, Signal Processing, Simulation, Software Engineering, Software Testing, Standards Development, Strategic Planning, System Architecture, System Integration (SI), System Test, System Validation, Systems Administration/Management, Systems Engineering, Technical Strategy, Technical Writing, Technical/Engineering Design, Test Bench, Test Plan/Schedule, Test Strategy, Testing, Time Management, Traceability, Trade Studies, Validation Testing, Verification Plans, Willing to Travel, Windchill PLM Software, Writing Skills ## Description 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 Staff 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. Responsibilities: * 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 on new and existing aircraft platforms, including integration and scalability considerations. * Architect and prototype embedded control solutions involving sensing, actuation, and feedback logic. * Assist in engineering, stakeholder alignment, concept validation, rapid experimentation and maintain traceability to test evidence appropriate to the development stage. * Particpate in technical reviews and drive resolution of risks, hazards, and integration issues. * Assist in defineing validation and verification strategies across SIL/HIL/lab/flight test environments including objective entry/exit criteria for each phase of development. * Help establish reusable engineering frameworks, standards, and patterns for controls, networking, sensing and software integration. * Participate in conducting 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. ## Related Videos - [Agile work at CARIAD – Creating a customer web application for controlling the vehicle ](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/200-agile-work-at-cariad-creating-a-customer-web-application-for-controlling-the-vehicle) - [Leveraging Large Language Models for Legacy Code Translation: Challenges and Solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1157-leveraging-large-language-models-for-legacy-code-translation-challenges-and-solutions) - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [Crew Management System for Airlines: Plan duties for pilots & flight attendants worldwide](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1444-crew-management-system-for-airlines-plan-duties-for-pilots-flight-attendants-worldwide) - [Collaboration Quantified: Lessons from Open Source Developer Networks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1422-collaboration-quantified-lessons-from-open-source-developer-networks) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers) - [Quick guide: How to write a Software Developer CV](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/37-quick-guide-how-to-write-a-software-developer-cv) - [Dev Digest 132 - Binging WADFlix?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/473-dev-digest-132-binging-wadflix) - [Should senior developers refuse interview coding challenges?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/29-should-senior-developers-refuse-interview-coding-challenges)