How to hire a flight controls engineer

How to hire a flight controls engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step flight controls engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a flight controls engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new flight controls engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The flight controls engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A flight controls engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, flight controls engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of flight controls engineers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Flight Controls Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Flight Controls Engineer	Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.	$36-62
   Stress Analyst	A stress analyst is a type of aerospace engineer; they design, construct, and test aircraft. They may also work on missiles or spacecraft... Show more	$30-54
   Engineering Scientist	An engineering scientist is responsible for designing new technological systems through the evaluation of scientific methods and innovative solutions. Engineering scientists analyze technical parts and components, researching the current engineering trends to meet public demands and interests... Show more	$31-59

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • C++
   • FAA
   • Flight Control Systems
   • Data Analysis
   • Aircraft Flight
   • Design Reviews
   • Do-254
   • System Integration
   • Fly-By-Wire
   • GPS
   • In-Flight
   • Test Results
   • Test Procedures
   • Arinc

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead redesign review for cyclic stick, composite to metal, (CATIA).
   • Analyze and simulate suspension characteristics on MATLAB & CarSim for better ride performance.
   • Generate FORTRAN code to determine hinge moments of the primary and secondary control surface actuators.
   • Conduct thermal CAE analyses using RADTHERM and vehicle testing in support of design and development.
   • Provide field support for evaluating vehicle performances and NVH issues that enable quick customer resolution.
   • Provide critical support in planning, execution, and analysis for USAF targeting pod assets under development.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your flight controls engineer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A flight controls engineer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, flight controls engineers' average salary in louisiana is 33% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level flight controls engineers earn 42% less than senior-level flight controls engineers.
   • Certifications. A flight controls engineer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a flight controls engineer's salary.

   Average flight controls engineer salary

   $99,619yearly

   $47.89 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level flight controls engineer salary

   $75,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a flight controls engineer job description

   A flight controls engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a flight controls engineer job description:

   Flight controls engineer job description example

   About Us:
   Merlin is an early-stage autonomy company, building software to control sophisticated transportation systems. Our mission here at Merlin Labs is to develop hardware and software solutions that deliver the capability for aircraft to fly useful missions autonomously and safely. Our first product will be a certified system to bring automation to existing fixed wing aircraft.
   
   We're backed by some of the top institutional venture capitalists in the country, our headquarters are located in Boston with hubs in Denver, Los Angeles and the Mojave Desert. Come join our diverse, world class team, made up of people from places like Google, Airbus, Boeing, UTC, the US Navy, and the US Air Force.
   
   All of the sky, none of the limits!
   
   About You:
   Are you a flight controls engineer looking for something that you just can't find in big aerospace? Do you dream in the frequency domain, or maybe in state space? Would you like to own a significant percentage of key systems for a new product? If so, you might be a good fit for the team in a Flight Controls Engineer role here at Merlin.
   The Role:Design and implement flight controls for our aircraft autonomy system.Write requirements for high level autonomy functions and low level flight control.Help create and use the simulation tools needed for development and testing (Simulink control law modeling, data analysis with MATLAB or Python).Participate in flight test to verify control law performance on multiple aircraft.Write, test, and document Simulink control law models according to Merlin's development standards, and participate in certification activities.Collaborate across Merlin to develop novel, certifiable systems to solve the toughest problems in aviation and autonomy.
   Qualifications:BS in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering5+ years of experience developing control systems for fixed wing aircraft, with demonstrated deep understanding of fixed wing aircraft dynamics, classical and modern control theory / design / analysis Experience decomposing systems requirements into high level requirements for both outer loop and inner loop control design Experience working in Model Based Development and certification of flight control systems, including proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink or another model-based development toolset Experience designing, implementing, and testing software for real-time systems Experience developing certified software under RTCA DO-178C
   Bonus:MS/PhD in Aerospace Engineering and/or ControlsExperience developing aircraft simulations using system identification of flight test data to facilitate the rapid design and testing of flight control systems Experience analyzing certification guidance materials for impact on automatic control system design Flight Test experience writing test cards to validate control system performance and perform failure testing Pilot license Experience working in an Agile development environment with open-source software tools and LinuxProficiency in C/C++ or Python
   #LI-Remote
   
   Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission.
   
   Merlin Labs is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background, export control and reference checks.
   
   Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find flight controls engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your flight controls engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit flight controls engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit flight controls engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new flight controls engineer

   Once you've found the flight controls engineer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new flight controls engineer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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