Sr. Propulsion Controls & Simulation Engineer

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 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, Honeywell, Aramex, US Navy) beginning in late 2025 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 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.

Responsibilities

Design & develop control algorithms for highvoltage (400-800 VDC) motor/generator drives, active rectifiers, and DC/DC converters for aircraft propulsion.

Build and maintain highfidelity propulsion models (machines, SiC inverters/rectifiers, DClink, batteries, turbines/propulsors, sensors/actuators) in MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and PLECS/PSIM; perform parameter identification from lab/rig data and ensure tight modeltohardware correlation.

Architect and tune discretetime current/voltage/speed/torque loops (FOC with MTPA/MTPV, fluxweakening), SVPWM/DPWM, PLLs, and digital filters with documented stability margins.

Stand up MIL/SIL/HIL environments (Typhoon HIL/OPALRT/Speedgoat); create automated regression and faultinjection tests; release realtime model variants and close modelvsbench gaps.

Implement productionquality embedded controls via Embedded Coder or C/C++ on TI C2000class DSPs, including diagnostics, FDIR, safestate behavior, and fixedpoint implementation.

Establish a governed propulsionmodel library and data pipeline: version control, CI for models, validation metrics, requirements traceability, and calibrated datasets from ironbird/ground testing.

Lead modelbased trade studies and optimization to evaluate performance, safety, and cost across propulsion configurations; deliver clear recommendations and design artifacts.

Collaborate with hardware, battery/BMS, thermal, mechanical, and flightcontrols teams to define ICDs and realtime comms (CAN/CANFD/Ethernet); support dyno/ironbird bringup and tuning.

Drive EMIaware control strategies and modulation/switchingfrequency schedules for SiC stages; manage DClink ripple, torque ripple, circulating currents, and acoustic/noise constraints.

Produce engineering deliverables-control design specs, modeling reports, calibration/tuning guides, and verification evidence-aligned with aerospace development practices. Requirements

Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Power Electronics, or related field (BS with strong relevant experience considered).

5+ years designing, simulating, and validating motordrive/converter controls for highpower systems.

Deep expertise in PMSM control: dq transforms, discrete control design, SVPWM/DPWM, bandwidth/stability analysis, fluxweakening, and MTPA/MTPV.

Handson modeling skills in MATLAB/Simulink (Simscape, Embedded Coder) and PLECS/PSIM; demonstrated parameter ID, system identification, and statistical/modelfit validation against test data.

Experience with HIL toolchains and test automation (Typhoon/OPALRT/Speedgoat; Python/MATLAB scripting; Gitbased CI for models and code).

Proven ability to take algorithms from model to realtime DSP implementation, debug with lab instrumentation, and document results crisply.

Strong systems thinking across efficiency, EMI/EMC, thermal limits, and reliability for 100-300 kWclass drives.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills; ability to lead workstreams and meet critical milestones. Preferred Qualifications

Sensorless control across the full operating range, ridethrough/derating strategies, and faulthandled limp modes.

Generatormode and activerectifier control for highspeed machines; grid/AC synchronization and DClink ripple management.

Multithreephase machines: PWM synchronization, circulatingcurrent mitigation, and torqueripple minimization.

Experience building component and systemlevel propulsion models with realtime and reducedorder variants; calibration using ironbird/flight datasets; scenario coverage and model acceptance criteria.

Exposure to safetycritical development and verification flows (ARP4754B/DO160; familiarity with DO178C/DO254 or ISO 26262/ASPICE), FMEA/FTA, and requirements traceability.

EMI/EMCaware control for SiC stages operating >20-40 kHz; familiarity with spreadspectrum/DPWM techniques.

Integration experience with BMS and flight controls over CAN/CANFD/Ethernet (time sync/TSN/PTP familiarity a plus).

Track record shipping productionready controls and models in fast, crossfunctional hardware programs.