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Flight controls engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Florian Solzbacher,

Florian Solzbacher

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical flight controls engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for flight controls engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 30.8% of flight controls engineer resumes contained c++ as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a flight controls engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 flight controls engineer skills for your resume and career

1. C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that is used to create high-performing applications. It was invented as an extension to the C language. C++ lets the programmer have a high level of domination over memory and system resources. C++ is an object-oriented language that helps you implement real-time issues based on different data functions

Here's how flight controls engineers use c++:

Redesigned and programmed a pilot landing guidance & control algorithm for the T-38 aircraft (Mat- lab and C++).
Design and develop C++ software using Visual Studio for the collection of statistical flight data for analysis.

2. FAA

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is an aviation regulatory body in the USA.

Here's how flight controls engineers use faa:

Collaborated with pilots and FAA in prototype creation and simulator testing executed to analyze pilot interface changes.
Conducted data presentations to the FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, and JCAB regulatory agencies.

3. Flight Control Systems

Here's how flight controls engineers use flight control systems:

Implemented: all of Flight Control System wiring Engineering Change Notices ECN for: the Flight Control System.
Project engineer for design & flight test manual and automatic flight control systems of the B-1 bomber.

4. Data Analysis

Here's how flight controls engineers use data analysis:

Conduct flight data analysis, develop flight test plans and documentation, and provide flight test support.
Provide flight test Mission Control Room support and flight test data analysis.

5. Aircraft Flight

Here's how flight controls engineers use aircraft flight:

Support customers with aircraft flight testing in order to attain production release to fleet.
Designed, implemented and validated the autopilot and autothrottle control laws using pilot-in-the-loop simulator evaluations and aircraft flight tests.

6. Design Reviews

A dеѕіgn review іѕ a mіlеѕtоnе wіthіn a рrоduсt dеvеlорmеnt рrосеѕѕ іn whісh a design іѕ evaluated bаѕеd on іtѕ rеԛuіrеmеntѕ. Thе рurроѕе of dеѕіgn rеvіеwѕ іѕ tо examine thе overall design or a ѕресіfіс аѕресt оf a dеѕіgn аt еасh ѕtаgе of the development оf a nеw оr еxіѕtіng рrоduсt.

Here's how flight controls engineers use design reviews:

Supported critical design reviews, preliminary design reviews and test readiness reviews.
Organize and participate in design reviews of the CPAS (Capsule Parachute Assembly System) for the Orion spacecraft.

7. Do-254

Here's how flight controls engineers use do-254:

Related documentation per RTCA DO-160F, DO-254, DO-178B and MIL-STD-810 design processes for complex electronic hardware.

8. System Integration

System integration refers to connecting distinct subsystems into a sole bigger system that tasks as one in very extensive terms. In engineering, the principal system integrator integrates separate systems using various techniques such as enterprise application integration, computer networking, business process management or manual programming.

Here's how flight controls engineers use system integration:

Performed regression, system integration, and validation testing on the F-117A Autopilot Computer.
Developed flight software and hardware and led system integration.

9. Fly-By-Wire

Here's how flight controls engineers use fly-by-wire:

Conducted studies for incorporation of fly-by-wire and developed proposals for installation of ballistic parachutes and external safety devices.
Collaborated in advanced control law design for next generation fly-by-wire aircraft.

10. GPS

GPS stands from Global Positioning System. It is a navigation system comprising of satellites that helps in determining the location, velocity, and synchronize time data for different modes of travel like air, sea, or land.

Here's how flight controls engineers use gps:

Developed localization and control algorithms for situations with GPS dropouts and camera lane-line dropouts.
Modeled GPS and algorithm of linear filtration in navigational receivers.

11. In-Flight

Here's how flight controls engineers use in-flight:

Conducted in-flight performance evaluations of Flight Engineer Instructors to assess competency levels compared to established performance standards.
Handled all in-flight medical and security emergencies by making immediate critical decisions.

12. Test Results

Here's how flight controls engineers use test results:

Reviewed test results to verify proper autopilot algorithm performance.
Analyzed test results with the assistance of LabView and formulated system review packages.

13. Test Procedures

Test procedure i defined as a tool for conducting an experiment to analyze or observe the specifications of a process or application.

Here's how flight controls engineers use test procedures:

Write and test procedures to validate and verify control law and integrated systems requirements and implementation.
Developed compliance standards and qualification test procedures for flight hardware.

14. Arinc

Here's how flight controls engineers use arinc:

Repeated troubleshoot/analysis via ARINC 429 Databus Analyzer.

15. Verification Testing

Here's how flight controls engineers use verification testing:

Utilized flight control system model for airframe verification testing.
Conducted verification testing (Simulink based) for autopilot system of ERJ 170 program (DO-178).

What skills help Flight Controls Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on flight controls engineer resumes?

Florian Solzbacher

Department Chair, Professor, Elect & Computer Engineering, University of Utah

Examples of having applied the knowledge gained in their studies to practical examples of solving engineering problems that require the combination of skills and at least some understanding of system engineering aspects are important signals that graduating engineers are ready to be productive in a real-world setting are always important. Obviously, participating in projects that address current "hot topic" problems, e.g., in robotics, AI/machine learning, power systems, biomedical applications, or that resonate with specific problems an employer is currently working on, will raise a student's profile.

Supplemental skills, such as Entrepreneurial or business training, can enhance and differentiate a student's resume. This shows that an engineer is not solely focused on the core technical engineering skills but does have an understanding of the driving forces and their interaction in a real-world business setting, that are not only part of the design requirements for a product (e.g., design to cost), but also often drive the selection of technical solution paths, after all, every development and product has to make business sense. Imagine two young engineers proposing a solution to their manager for a new product: one maybe even over-exceeds the technical requirements, but the development and/or manufacturing and servicing effort and cost is significantly higher than a colleagues solution that may only just about reach the requirements, or maybe even compromise on some specifications, but that is far cheaper to develop, make and service and that may allow entering a far larger market- chances are very high that the business may decide to go for the "inferior" solution from a technical point of view, that is, however, the better product. This supplemental skill set is a significant competitive advantage to have as an engineer.

What hard/technical skills are most important for flight controls engineers?

Florian Solzbacher

Department Chair, Professor, Elect & Computer Engineering, University of Utah

First of all, the fundamentals (mostly math, physics, materials/chemistry) and basic EE/CE concepts need to be solid. As stated above: the ability to solve real-world development and system integration problems that require "global optimization" of technical performance as opposed to local optimization of specific sub-systems or components is really critical.

Beyond that, given the accelerating breadth of specializations and sub-areas, it is important that students have sufficient depth and breadth of knowledge in the specific area they are targeting. It is important that schools are offering tracks and guidance as to what skills are needed to allow students to successfully master engineering tasks across a range of sub-areas. We have to recognize that in the context of a 4-year program, it is no longer possible to train a student in all areas of ECE - a combined BS/MS degree or MS/Ph.D. degree obviously provides more runway to add breadth.

What flight controls engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Angela Rasmussen

Professor (Lecturer) Director of Mentoring and Advising Director of Electrical Engineering Senior Projects, University of Utah

Hone your skills by taking online classes, or consider getting something such as the University of Utah Electrical and Computer Engineering Online Master's Degree which can increase your overall income, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, by approximately $20,000 in comparison to just having a Bachelor of Science degree. Our department has removed many barriers and streamlined our admittance process for this upcoming Fall 2020 semester.

Another skill to expand is programming. Consider learning a new programming language to build on your current skills. Also, look at different job opportunities and choose a skill that you are lacking to improve upon.

What type of skills will young flight controls engineers need?

Dr. Ramanarayanan "Vish" Viswanathan Ph.D.

Chair and Professor, University of Mississippi

All graduates need to 1) have a broad understanding of electrical engineering and have programming skills, 2) be able to work collaboratively, and 3) effectively communicate with co-workers, both orally and through writing. Additionally, depending upon the nature of the job, some would need effective communication skills to interface with external stakeholders, and some would need strong foundations on theory and applications of electrical engineering, including networking of computers and devices.

Do you want to know more?

List of flight controls engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a flight controls engineer resume and required skills for a flight controls engineer to have include:

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
Verification Testing
Flight Test Data
Control Law Design
GNC

NASA
Landing Gear
Fortran
F-16
Flight Deck
On-Aircraft
Autopilot
Functional Test
Data Acquisition

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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