Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc.

Aerospace design and electric aircraft development

Flight Sciences Manager

Engineering LeadershipConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeSan Luis Obispo, CA, USA$118k - $175k

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a highly relevant Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics discipline is required.
A minimum of 10 years of professional engineering experience in an aerospace vehicle development environment is required, with a demonstrable background in Flight Sciences, aerodynamic design, or flight control systems.
At least 3 years of formal leadership or functional management experience directing engineering teams within an integrated aerospace project lifecycle is required.
Deep expertise in aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and aircraft stability and control for fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or hybrid missile or UAV systems is required.
Proven capability using modern analytical platforms, including MATLAB/Simulink, low- or high-order computational fluid dynamics packages, and embedded C/C++ environments, is required.
Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR/EAR.
Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Must be able to pass a background check.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with other departments to meet milestones during product development cycles.
Oversee the Guidance, Navigation, and Control, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Aerodynamic Performance disciplines, and participate in defining and executing the overall engineering product development strategy, budget, team development, and evaluation.
Manage a group of Aerospace and Guidance, Navigation, and Controls engineering professionals, including budget planning, staffing, training, performance evaluation, and career development.
Manage resources to meet project demands.
Be responsible for team engagement and quality output.
Drive engineering excellence across Guidance, Navigation and Controls, Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis, high-fidelity flight simulation, and aerodynamic structural design.
Direct development, verification, and validation of hardware-in-the-loop environments, ensuring deployment of embedded flight control software via automated Simulink Embedded Coder pipelines and C/C++ builds.
Guide the team in maturing concepts from initial sketches into operational hardware integrated with intelligent operating systems.
Manage the engineering team, providing mentoring, performance evaluations, and structured technical career pathing.
Coordinate with project leaders to monitor future program demands, execute strategic resource staffing, screen engineering talent, and close technical skills gaps.
Support Flight Sciences Reviews and Test Readiness Reviews.
Frequently interact with subordinate supervisors, customers, and functional peer group managers on matters between functional areas.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree or Ph.D. with a research focus in flight physics, fluid dynamics, or advanced control laws is preferred.
Familiarity with open-source flight software frameworks and their application to complex edge-case navigation, such as GPS-denied environments, is desired.
An active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance, with immediate eligibility for Top Secret and Special Access Programs, is highly preferred.
Prior hands-on experience managing complex wind tunnel testing, scaling models, or live-fly uncrewed systems testing operations is desired.

Summary:
The Manager, Flight Sciences, coordinates with other departments to meet the milestones during product development cycles. As a member of the Engineering management team, the Flight Sciences Manager oversees the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Aerodynamic Performance disciplines and participates in defining and executing the overall engineering product development strategy, budget, team development and evaluation.

Position Responsibilities:

Manages a group of Aerospace and Guidance, Navigation, and Controls engineering professionals, including budget planning, staffing, training, performance evaluation and career development
Manages resources to meet project demands
Is responsible for engagement and quality output of the team
Drive engineering excellence across key specialized disciplines, including Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, high-fidelity flight simulation, and aerodynamic structural design.
Direct the development, verification, and validation of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments, ensuring seamless deployment of embedded flight control software via modern software deployment methodologies (e.g., automated Simulink Embedded Coder pipelines, C/C++ builds).
Guide the team to rapidly mature concepts from early initial sketches into operational hardware integrated with intelligent operating systems.
Actively manage a high-performing engineering team, providing mentoring, performance evaluations, and structured technical career pathing.
Coordinate closely with Project leaders to monitor future program demands, execute strategic resource staffing, screen high-caliber engineering talent, and close crucial technical skills gaps.
Support Flight Sciences Reviews (FSR), and Test Readiness Reviews (TRR).
Frequently interacts with subordinate supervisors, customers and/or functional peer group managers, normally involving matters between functional areas
Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications and Skills:

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a highly relevant Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline.
A minimum of 10+ years of professional engineering experience in an aerospace vehicle development environment, with a demonstrable background in Flight Sciences, aerodynamic design, or flight control systems.
3+ years of formal leadership or functional management experience directing engineering teams within an integrated aerospace project lifecycle.
Deep expertise in aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and aircraft stability/control for fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or hybrid missile/UAV systems.
Proven capability utilizing modern analytical platforms, such as MATLAB/Simulink, low/high-order CFD packages, and embedded C/C++ environments.
Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR/EAR.

Desired Qualifications and Skills:

Master’s degree or a Ph.D. with a research focus in flight physics, fluid dynamics, or advanced control laws.
Familiarity with open-source flight software frameworks and their application to complex edge-case navigation (e.g., GPS-denied environments).
Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance, with immediate eligibility for Top Secret (TS) and Special Access Programs (SAP) highly preferred.
Prior hands-on experience managing complex wind tunnel testing, scaling models, or live-fly uncrewed systems testing operations.

Comprehensive Benefits & Perks:

Health & Wellness: Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans - including a 100% employer-paid option covering both employees and their families.
Paid Time Off: Enjoy 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay in addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off.
Life Insurance: $25,000 employer-paid life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional coverage for employeSummary:
The Manager, Flight Sciences, coordinates with other departments to meet the milestones during product development cycles. As a member of the Engineering management team, the Flight Sciences Manager oversees the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Aerodynamic Performance disciplines and participates in defining and executing the overall engineering product development strategy, budget, team development and evaluation.

Company Overview
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing, dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to the industry. We specialize in cutting-edge system design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community. Committed to excellence, on-time delivery, and continuous growth, we invest in infrastructure to expand our manufacturing and aftermarket capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of engineering services.

At ESAero, we don’t just build products, we engineer solutions that propel
the aerospace industry forward.

**This position is fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA**
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ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.
E-Verify participation required for employment.
Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Must be able to pass background check.
Pay Range: $118,000-$175,000 Salary Exempt

About the Company

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc.

Aerospace design and electric aircraft development

ESAero designs and builds aerospace systems, from military and commercial air vehicles to electric and hybrid propulsion, modifications, and sub-scale demonstrators. They provide end-to-end services: in-house design, analysis, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing, and they serve as the Prime Contractor and Integrator on programs like NASA’s X-57 Maxwell. ESAero differentiates itself with hands-on system development, rapid product iterations, customized project plans, and an on-demand niche engineering team focused on cost, time, and quality. They aim to help aviation and aerospace advance electric and advanced propulsion technologies while meeting customer goals efficiently and reliably.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Acquired
Total funding: $1.5M
Headquarters: United States
Founded: 2003

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