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Flight Controls Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Byerly Aviation

Aircraft Mechanics A&P

Peoria, IL · On-site

$25 - $40/hr

... flight controls & rigging, pneumatic systems, engines, propellers, etc. Reads and interprets ... Must be able to read, interpret and work from engineering drawings, blue prints, production ...

Byerly Aviation

Aircraft Mechanics A&P

Peoria, IL · On-site

$25 - $40/hr

... metal, flight controls & rigging, pneumatic systems, engines, propellers, etc. * Reads and ... Must be able to read, interpret and work from engineering drawings, blue prints, production ...

Byerly Aviation

Aircraft Mechanics A&P

Peoria, IL

$25 - $40/hr

... metal, flight controls & rigging, pneumatic systems, engines, propellers, etc. * Reads and ... Must be able to read, interpret and work from engineering drawings, blue prints, production ...

Ingenium Aerospace LLC

Program Manager

Rockford, IL · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

We provide mechanical and electromechanical solutions to complex challenges, delivering engineering, prototyping, and production of flight controls, utility actuation, and other rotating component ...

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Flight Controls Engineer information

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$20

$79

$102

How much do flight controls engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight controls engineer in Illinois is $79.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75.00 and $88.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a flight controls engineer?

Flight Controls Engineers spend their days developing, testing, and refining control systems that manage an aircraft’s stability and response. They often work closely with multidisciplinary teams including software developers, test pilots, and systems engineers to design algorithms and validate performance both in simulation and on real hardware. Regular tasks may include modeling flight dynamics, analyzing data from test flights, troubleshooting system anomalies, and preparing technical documentation. This role requires a high level of attention to detail and collaboration to ensure that flight control systems meet stringent safety and reliability standards.

What is a flight controls engineer?

A Flight Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing flight control systems that manage an aircraft's behavior in flight. This includes working on software, hardware, and control laws to ensure stability, performance, and safety. They collaborate with aerospace engineers, pilots, and regulatory agencies to meet industry standards. Their role often involves simulation, modeling, and real-world testing to refine control systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a flight controls engineer?

To thrive as a Flight Controls Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, control systems theory, and experience with flight dynamics modeling, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, control law development tools, and industry certifications such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license or familiarity with DO-178C/DO-254 standards is highly valued. Excellent problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help distinguish high performers in collaborative aviation environments. These skills are essential to ensure the safe, reliable design and integration of advanced flight control systems in modern aircraft.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Illinois?

For Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Flight Controls Engineer jobs in IL?

For Flight Controls Engineer jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Flight Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Controls Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $165,753 per year, or $79.7 per hour.

Electrical Engineer III, Motors and Controls

Kaney

Rockford, IL • On-site

$120K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
The Electrical Engineer will be responsible for designing, analyzing, and implementing advanced fractional horsepower motor systems and their associated control electronics for aerospace electromechanical actuators. This role spans the full stack of electromechanical control: motor design, motor drive hardware, embedded control algorithms, and real time firmware. The engineer will collaborate with cross functional teams to deliver high reliability, safety critical actuation solutions that meet stringent aerospace performance, environmental, and certification requirements. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in motor physics, control theory, embedded firmware, and mixed signal electronics, with a proven ability to take motor control systems from concept through test, qualification, and production.
Requirements
Major Responsibilities:
  • Design, model, and analyze fractional horsepower motors (BLDC, PMSM, brushed DC, stepper) for aerospace actuation applications.
  • Perform electromagnetic, thermal, and mechanical analysis of motor designs, including torque speed optimization, losses, and efficiency.
  • Collaborate with mechanical and systems engineering to integrate motors into electromechanical actuator assemblies.
  • Architect and design motor drive electronics, including gate drivers, current sense circuits, resolver/encoder interfaces, and protection circuitry.
  • Develop mixed signal schematics and oversee PCB layout for motor control boards, ensuring signal integrity, EMC robustness, and aerospace reliability.
  • Implement and tune current, velocity, and position control loops (FOC, trapezoidal, sinusoidal, sensor less, etc.).
  • Develop real time embedded firmware for motor control, actuator control, and system level coordination (C/C++, bare metal or RTOS).
  • Implement control algorithms, state machines, safety monitors, and communication protocols (CAN, RS 485, ARINC 429, etc.).
  • Perform hardware in the loop (HIL) testing, firmware bring up, and system debugging.
  • Support requirements development, allocation, and traceability for motor control and actuation subsystems.
  • Ensure compliance with DO-160, DO-254, ARP4754, and other aerospace or military standards.
  • Participate in design reviews, FMEAs, and safety analyses for EM control systems.
  • Develop and execute motor control test plans, including bench testing, and environmental qualification.
  • Diagnose issues related to motor performance, control stability, EMI/EMC, firmware timing, and sensor feedback.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of experience in motor design, motor control, or electromechanical actuation.

Minimum Competencies:
  • Strong background in fractional-horsepower motor physics, electromagnetic design, and performance modeling.
  • Proficiency in motor-control algorithms (FOC, PID tuning, commutation strategies, sensor less control).
  • Experience with embedded firmware for real-time controls (C/C++, RTOS, bare-metal).
  • Experience with feedback sensors (resolvers, encoders, Hall sensors) and signal-conditioning circuits.
  • Familiarity with aerospace environmental and reliability requirements (DO-160, DO-254, derating, thermal analysis).
  • Strong troubleshooting skills using oscilloscopes, current probes, and logic analyzers.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally in a regulated engineering environment.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with EMA's for utility actuation or flight-control systems.
  • Knowledge of FPGA-based motor control or high-speed digital logic.
  • Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for control-loop modeling and simulation.
  • Exposure to safety-critical firmware development and certification processes.
  • Familiarity with power-stage design (MOSFET/IGBT selection, gate-drive tuning, thermal management).

Preferred Competencies:
  • Experience in NI LabVIEW
  • Experience in a lab, safely working with voltages greater than 500V

Salary Description
$120,000.00 - $145,000.00
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About Kaney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Rockford, IL, US

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