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# Principal Aircraft Controls Engineer

- **Company:** IO Associates
- **Location:** Long Beach, CA, United States
- **Salary:** $200,000.0 - $260,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** C++ (Programming Language), EXEC (Scripting Language), Code Generation, Simulink, Systems Integration, Model-Driven Development, DO-178B
- **Published:** October 15, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/3b95e4d6-a740-4193-8e3c-1e7c48b1b562

## About the Role

* Strong aerospace, avionics, flight-deck or safety-critical embedded-controls experience.
 * Deep DO-178C delivery experience, including the ability to write certifiable code using Simulink and model-based design and auto-code generation experience, plus comfort in C or C++.
 * Experience taking a DO-178C programme through certification (evidence, reviews, audit-readiness).
 * The ability to translate requirements into implementable hardware and software deliverables, then support verification through to evidence.
 * Bonus if you have DO-254 exposure.

If you have led the delivery of certifiable avionics or aircraft controls and want to own a core product on an emerging aircraft programme, get in touch now to arrange a call.

## Description

Principal Controls Engineer

On-site LA | $200 to $260k DOE plus Strong Equity | 2 stage interview

iO Associates US green aviation partner is ramping a flagship aircraft programme through certification and into commercial service and requires a senior, hands on controls expert to lead certifiable aircraft control software and avionics, from development through ground test, flight test and FAA approval.

You will own the power-management controller and help shape the wider cockpit and avionics architecture around it. This is a key hire, reporting directly to the Exec, with occasional travel for flight test activity

You will be responsible for:

 * Leading the development and certification of powertrain-control avionics and DO-178C software.
 * Delivering DO-178C software hands-on as the top priority, using model-based development (Simulink auto-code) and direct coding (C or C++) where needed.
 * Refining and aligning requirements to the controls hardware and software being developed (ARP4754B, left side of the V).
 * Supporting verification activity and helping the team produce certification-ready evidence (right side of the V).
 * Integrating and testing controller units across dyno, iron-bird and flight-test environments, and leading qualification and certification test activity.