Systems Engineer - Flight Controls

Job Title: Systems Engineer – Flight Controls (Remote)

Job Description

This role focuses on supporting the development of flight-critical systems in accordance with ARP 4754 / ARP 4754A and related aviation standards. You will contribute across the full systems engineering lifecycle—from requirements definition through integration and verification—while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure safe, reliable, and certifiable flight control systems.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of flight-critical systems in alignment with ARP 4754 / ARP 4754A and applicable aviation standards.
• Contribute to systems engineering lifecycle activities, including requirements definition, allocation, and traceability.
• Develop and refine system architectures and designs for flight control and avionics systems.
• Support integration activities to ensure that hardware, software, and system interfaces operate cohesively across avionics platforms.
• Plan and execute verification and validation activities to confirm that systems meet all functional, performance, and safety requirements.
• Collaborate closely with software, hardware, and test teams to ensure end-to-end system performance and consistency with design intent.
• Participate in safety assessments such as Functional Hazard Assessment (FHA), Preliminary System Safety Assessment (PSSA), and System Safety Assessment (SSA) with cross-functional teams.
• Ensure compliance with aviation standards, including DO-178C for software and DO-254 for hardware, as applicable.
• Support interface definition and management, ensuring clear and robust system interfaces across flight control and avionics subsystems.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to align system requirements with mission objectives and operational needs.
• Contribute to documentation and artifacts required for aviation certification and airworthiness compliance.
• Assist in maintaining traceability between requirements, design, implementation, and verification evidence throughout the project lifecycle.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with ARP 4754 / ARP 4754A.
• At least 2 years of experience working with flight controls.
• Practical experience with flight-critical or safety-critical systems, preferably in aerospace or defense environments.
• Working knowledge of aviation standards such as DO-178C (software) and DO-254 (hardware), as applicable.
• Experience contributing to systems engineering lifecycle activities, including requirements definition, system architecture, integration, and verification/validation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with software, hardware, test, and safety teams.
• Strong understanding of system safety concepts and participation in safety assessments such as FHA, PSSA, and SSA.
• Ability to ensure and demonstrate compliance with aviation certification and airworthiness requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working across the full systems lifecycle, from concept through certification and sustainment.
• experience in flight-critical or safety-critical systems in aerospace, defense, or closely related domains.
• Familiarity with requirements management tools (for example, DOORS or similar platforms).
• Understanding of aviation certification processes and airworthiness compliance frameworks.
• Experience supporting autonomous aviation, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), or advanced air mobility programs.
• Exposure to autonomous flight initiatives such as Merlin Labs or similar programs.
• Knowledge of DO-178C and DO-254 and their application to safety-critical software and hardware.
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies, including SysML or comparable modeling languages.
• Prior work with FAA certification programs or equivalent regulatory authorities.

Work Environment

This is a fully remote position, offering flexibility to work from your preferred location while collaborating with a distributed engineering team. You will work in a modern digital environment that emphasizes systems engineering best practices, requirements management, and model-based approaches. Communication and collaboration occur primarily through online tools and virtual meetings, supporting close interaction with software, hardware, test, and safety teams across multiple programs in aviation, space, and defense.

This is a Contract position based out of Phoenix, AZ.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully remote position.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 26, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $50 - $60