---
title: 'Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer at Odys Aviation'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-propulsion-controls-software-engineer-odys-aviation-long-beach-ccef4qmsfd0v'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer at Odys Aviation

- **Company:** Odys Aviation
- **Location:** Long Beach, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-07-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/odys-aviation/75c060db-54fc-4c0f-acaf-8113c173a8a9

## Job description

## ABOUT ODYS

Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle https://youtu.be/fyI4XMsF2rM by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.

To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We’re deploying aircraft with launch partners (Fiji Airways https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-09-20/fiji-airways-plans-connect-pacific-islands-laila-vtol, Honeywell https://aerospace.honeywell.com/us/en/about-us/press-release/2024/07/honeywell-odys-aviation-to-collaborate-on-uncrewed-aircraft-operations-in-the-middle-east-and-pacific, Aramex https://evtolinsights.com/2024/01/odys-aviation-aramex-announce-collaboration-to-develop-cargo-operations-in-uae-and-oman/, US Navy) beginning in 2026 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.

We’re a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops (completed transition flight https://youtu.be/AffdzQDUv2U faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we’ve been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.

## ABOUT THE ROLE

Odys Aviation is at the forefront of developing hybrid-electric aircraft to enable sustainable regional air travel. As the Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer, you will be responsible for the controls, embedded software, and simulation infrastructure supporting our SiC-based propulsion power electronics for both the Laila (UAV) and Alta (Hybrid-electric VTOL) programs.

You'll own the controls and embedded software for the propulsion power electronics on both Laila(UAV) and Alta (hybrid-electric VTOL) - the motor drives, active rectifiers, DC/DC converters, and the Hybrid System Controller that coordinates them. Power electronics hardware is designed by peer engineers; your job is to make their systems perform - in simulation, on the bench, and in flight.

You'll set the direction for how we model, verify, and ship this stack: building high-fidelity simulation models, standing up MIL/SIL/HIL infrastructure, and delivering production firmware that holds up to aerospace certification and real flight conditions. This is a high-ownership, individual-contributor role with the latitude to shape how the controls and simulation function works as the team scales.

## RESPONSIBILITIES

- Control Algorithms
- Design, implement, and tune discrete-time control loops for PMSM drives, active rectifiers, and DC/DC converters - FOC with MTPA/MTPV, flux-weakening, sensorless observers, SVPWM/DPWM, PLLs, and digital filters.
- Develop EMI-aware modulation and switching-frequency strategies for SiC stages (20-40+ kHz), managing DC-link ripple, torque ripple, and acoustic constraints in software.
- Hybrid System Controller (HSC)
- Build the supervisory power-split and energy-management logic that coordinates the turbogenerator, battery, DC bus, and propulsion inverters.
- Own mode transitions, startup/shutdown sequencing, and powertrain-level fault arbitration.
- Modeling & Simulation
- Build and maintain high-fidelity propulsion models (machines, SiC inverters/rectifiers, DC-link, batteries, propulsors, sensors) in MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and PLECS.
- Identify parameters from bench and rig data and resolve model-vs-test discrepancies.
- Stand up and run MIL/SIL/HIL environments (Typhoon HIL, OPAL-RT, Speedgoat), including automated regression and fault-injection suites with Git-based CI for real-time model releases.
- Firmware & Integration
- Take algorithms from model to target via Embedded Coder or hand-written C/C++ on DSP platforms (TI C2000, ARM Cortex-R/M, or similar) - fixed-point implementation, FDIR, diagnostics, and safe-state behavior.
- Define real-time comms and ICDs for CAN/CAN-FD/Ethernet; support dyno and iron-bird integration and correlate simulation with hardware performance.
- Systems & Compliance
- Translate system architecture into control specs, simulation studies, and firmware requirements; flag implementation risk to the systems architect early.
- Produce design specs, modeling reports, calibration guides, and verification evidence aligned to DO-178C, DO-254, and ARP4754B; help standardize templates and review processes for the controls/sim workflow as we grow.

## REQUIREMENTS

- 8+ years developing controls and embedded software for high-power motor drives or power converters.
- Deep, hands-on expertise in PMSM control: d-q theory, FOC, SVPWM/DPWM, sensorless observers, flux-weakening, and fault detection.
- Working knowledge of SiC MOSFET-based stages (switching behavior, gate-driver interaction, dead-time effects, HV protection) sufficient to design control/protection logic with device physics in mind.
- Fluency in MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and PLECS for powertrain modeling.
- Production embedded experience: Embedded Coder or hand-coded C/C++ on DSPs, fixed-point arithmetic, real-time scheduling, on-target debugging.
- A track record of leading a controls or embedded subsystem from concept to flight/field-ready.
- MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or Controls preferred; candidates with a BS and significant relevant experience will also be considered.

## PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Aerospace or eVTOL powertrain experience, with familiarity in FAA/EASA certification.
- DO-178C experience in a regulated environment, plus exposure to DO-254, ARP4754B, FMEA/FTA, and requirements traceability.
- Hands-on time with Typhoon, OPAL-RT, or Speedgoat, and Python/MATLAB test automation with Git-based CI.
- Production sensorless control, wide-range flux-weakening, ride-through, or limp-mode strategies in flight or field applications.
- Generator-mode/active-rectifier control for high-speed machines, including multi-three-phase PWM sync and circulating-current mitigation.
- BMS/flight-control integration over CAN, CAN-FD, or Ethernet, with TSN/PTP time-sync familiarity.
- SPICE experience for device-level analysis.

## About Odys Aviation

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Odys Aviation builds long-range, hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft for defense, logistics, and civil applications, enabling runway-independent operations with significant payload and endurance.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A)
- **Headquarters**: Long Beach, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Tadeh Avetian (Co‑Founder and Advisor); other founders not publicly listed (the team includes experts from GoogleX, Hyperloop, Volvo, and Fisker Automotive)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Aerospace & Aviation, Defense, Logistics
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense, commercial cargo operators, humanitarian/NGOs, regional airlines (B2B, Government, Enterprise)
- **Mission**: “To connect people and goods in ways that truly solve real-world challenges and open new possibilities for the future of flight.”

## Products & Services
- **Laila**: Tactical VTOL drone with a 450‑mile range, 130‑lb payload, and multi‑hour endurance. Designed for defense, logistics, and emergency medical transport. Flies today.
- **Alta**: Larger VTOL cargo aircraft with a 1,200‑mile range, 3,500‑lb capacity, and dual flexible cargo capability. Aimed at regional logistics and passenger travel. Certification following Laila.
- Both platforms use **hybrid‑electric propulsion** and a patented **flap‑based thrust vectoring** system (replaces tilt rotors for simpler certification).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Total Funding**: $43.6 million (across pre‑seed, seed, and Series A rounds)
  - Pre‑Seed (Jul 2021): $3.5M from 7 investors
  - Seed (Feb 2022): $12.4M from 12 investors (after Y Combinator)
  - Series A (Nov 2025): $26M led by Nova Threshold with 3 investors
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Y Combinator, Nova Threshold, U.S. Department of Defense (Phase II contract), Sultanate of Oman (2026 evaluation program)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount: 44 employees (+61.3% year‑over-year as of mid‑2026)
  - Over $9 billion in Letters of Intent and pre‑orders
  - Completed first full‑scale Laila prototype flight campaign and full transition flight test
  - First test of Alta’s 1MW generator, a hybrid‑electric propulsion breakthrough
  - 13 active job postings; quarterly hiring trend +62.5%

## Competitive Advantages
- **Flap‑based thrust vectoring** – simpler, more certifiable than tilt‑rotor designs while enabling VTOL and efficient cruise.
- **Hybrid‑electric propulsion** – delivers superior range, payload, and endurance compared to pure electric VTOL aircraft.
- **Dual‑use strategy** – serves both military and commercial markets from a single platform, accelerating adoption and funding.
- **Early flight‑proven hardware** – Laila is flying today; full transition flight validated, reducing certification risk.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale full‑scale flight testing and manufacturing readiness.
- Advance certification programs for both Laila and Alta.
- Expand international launch operations (e.g., Oman partnership).
- Continue winning DoD contracts and penetrating defense/logistics verticals.
- Build engineering team (propulsion, avionics, robotics, mission systems).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Values**: Emphasize “Details Matter”, “Build With Tenacity”, “Support The Team”, “Keep Your Promises”, and “Balance Audacity With Pragmatism”. Safety is the north star.
- **Team**: Composed of experienced aerospace engineers from Airbus, SpaceX, Boeing, and other top programs; described as “not average” with a focus on first‑principles engineering.
- **Work Environment**: Collaborative office and hangar spaces in Long Beach built for productivity and wellbeing. On‑site presence expected (no explicit remote policy advertised). Regular company events and team social hours.
- **Perks**: Competitive salaries, generous stock options, comprehensive health & wellness benefits. Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge aircraft from concept through certification and production.
- **Growth**: Rapidly scaling company with significant room for impact; employees can shape products and processes early.

## Sources
1. [odysaviation.com](https://www.odysaviation.com/) – Company homepage, product details, mission
2. [odysaviation.com/careers](https://www.odysaviation.com/careers) – Careers page, values, culture, benefits
3. [odysaviation.com/about](https://www.odysaviation.com/about) – Timeline, leadership team, funding milestones, DoD contracts
4. [linkedin.com/company/odys-aviation](https://www.linkedin.com/company/odys-aviation) – Headcount growth, funding total, employee breakdown, open roles
5. [ycombinator.com/companies/odys-aviation](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/odys-aviation) – Y Combinator profile, founder background, early contracts

## Other roles at Odys Aviation

- [Composite Technician - Airframe](https://feeny.ai/job/composite-technician-airframe-odys-aviation-long-beach-ymyghw94fb1x) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mechanical Engineering Intern/Co-Op [Propulsion]](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineering-intern-co-op-propulsion-odys-aviation-long-beach-89vsba1eprcc) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mechanical Technician - Powerplant](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-technician-powerplant-odys-aviation-long-beach-mc5xhvtsreet) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mission Systems Integration Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-systems-integration-engineer-odys-aviation-long-beach-nn4n1tjnc0sp) — Long Beach, CA
- [Lead Aircraft Maintenance Technician (eVTOL)](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-aircraft-maintenance-technician-evtol-odys-aviation-long-beach-rtjsy0japddp) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mission Operations Specialist (UAS Pilot)](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-specialist-uas-pilot-odys-aviation-long-beach-p5fryq1trxe4) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mechanical Design Engineer [Propulsion]](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-design-engineer-propulsion-odys-aviation-long-beach-4n4kzp0zd0e9) — Long Beach, CA
- [Sr. Power Electronics Hardware Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-power-electronics-hardware-engineer-odys-aviation-long-beach-r49kkj626twy) — Long Beach, CA
- [Junior Qualification & Safety Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/junior-qualification-safety-engineering-intern-odys-aviation-munich-b6w6b02kb9c6) — Munich, Germany
- [Unmanned Aircraft Operations Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/unmanned-aircraft-operations-intern-odys-aviation-munich-0qtmf8khv812) — Munich, Germany