Active Control Functions & Artificial Intelligence Leader

Job Description:

With the development of future Airbus programs accelerating, Airbus UpNext is launching a new Demonstrator.

This high-stakes R&T flight platform has a dual mission: deliver flight-proven breakthroughs directly to future Airbus programs, and inject game-changing ideas to reshape how Airbus Commercial builds aircraft for the next 30 years.

Operating as a "startup within the giant," this program flies a heavily instrumented subsonic demonstrator platform to pioneer advanced flight physics technologies, aiming for a significant block fuel reduction.

Based in Toulouse (Saint Martin) within a flat, fast-paced project organization, this role requires close collaboration with the engineering leadership team, Overall Aircraft Design (OAD), Flight Control Systems, and data science specialists.
 

This position comes with limited contract (CDI-C) linked to the deliverable of the demo ( estimated end date - end of July 2029), starting ASAP.

The Mission
 

As the Xwing Active Control Functions & Artificial intelligence leader, you will be the end-to-end owner for the deployment of advanced active control technologies and AI capabilities on the demonstrator platform. Working directly within the Flight Physics & System Engineering team, you will bridge Overall Aircraft Design (OAD), Flight Control Systems &  Sensors and Data Science to pioneer breakthrough technologies to active load alleviation, performance optimization, and physical modelling.

Your mission is vital: drive multi-disciplinary technical convergence, lead the strategic deployment with our partners, and deliver flight-proven gains to shape future Airbus commercial aircraft programs.

What You’ll Own (Accountabilities):

1. Active Control System Architecture & End-to-End Roadmap

• End-to-End ACF Leadership: Own the complete roadmap for Active Control Functions 

• Aircraft-Level Trade-Offs: Support Trade off for active control application on Airbus programs

• Top-Level System Requirements & Architecture definition: Define and arbitrate functional requirements across disciplines and lead architecture analysis based on XWing configuration
   

2.  AI & Strategic Partnership Leadership

• AI Technology Deployment: Lead the deployment of disruptive AI capabilities on the demonstrator and ensure seamless synchronization with Airbus initiatives 

• Executive Communication: Report progress, demonstrate flight test results, and communicate the overall AI strategy to executive stakeholders and Airbus-level AI leaders.
  
   

Your Boarding Pass:

• Flight Physics & Systems Track Record: Master's Degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Automatic Control, Flight Physics, or Computational Sciences, with a strong background in Overall Aircraft Design (OAD), Flight Dynamics, Aeroelasticity, or Flight Control Systems.

• Applied AI & Data Science: Hands-on experience or strong working knowledge of machine learning applied to physical systems (surrogate modeling, CFD/loads neural networks, real-time data fusion).

• Systems Architecture & Testing: Proven ability to derive multi-disciplinary system requirements, alongside experience with flight test operations, telemetry exploitation, or hardware-in-the-loop validation.

• Mindset & Leadership: Recognized for your high autonomy, strategic vision, and cross-functional leadership skills. Ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment across multi-disciplinary technical teams.

• Linguistic Versatility & Communication: Fluent English is mandatory due to our international ecosystem and strong worldwide partnerships. Strong presentation skills to communicate complex technical concepts to executive audiences.
  
   

About Us & Values

Airbus UpNext empowers you to think and act like a startup, backed by the robust expertise of Airbus. In this role, you will embody our core DNA:

• #Speed of Execution: Moving fast, prioritizing fast experimentation and agility over paperwork.

• #Be Audacious: Welcoming challenges; constantly striving to push boundaries.

• #Be Simple: Finding the most efficient, pragmatic path to success.

• #Caring for Each Other & Open to the World: Building a trustful team and expanding global partnerships.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus UpNext SAS

Employment Type:

Fixed term

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Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Flight & Space Physics <JF-EN-EE>

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