Powertrain Modeling & Controls Engineer
Job Description
We're Hiring: Powertrain Modeling & Controls Engineer
Full-Time | Core Team
LAT Aerospace | STOL Aircraft
At LAT Aerospace, we’re building a clean-sheet Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) aircraft to transform regional air mobility in India. We’re looking for a Powertrain Modeling & Controls Engineer to architect, simulate, and validate advanced control strategies for our hybrid-electric propulsion system – from high-fidelity MATLAB/Simulink models to full hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation.
What you’ll do
Develop high-fidelity models of hybrid-electric powertrain components including engine, generator, inverters, DC-DC converters, and batteries.
Design and implement supervisory power management and control algorithms for hybrid-electric operation.
Tune and customize engine control parameters and maps for aircraft-specific requirements.
Build and maintain full powertrain SILS (Software-in-the-Loop Simulation) environments in MATLAB/Simulink.
Implement and validate control algorithms in real-time using HILS setups.
Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, and electronics teams to integrate powertrain controls across hardware modules.
Perform fault detection, isolation, and mitigation (FDI/FMECA) using robust control and system-level modeling.
Ensure modular, clean model architecture with thorough documentation for scalable development.
What we're looking for
3+ years of experience in hybrid/electric powertrain modelling or control systems.
Strong understanding of control system design, including PID, state-space modelling, observers, feedforward/feedback controllers, and stability analysis.
Experience designing supervisory controllers for hybrid systems: power split, engine start/stop, load following, and real-time energy management.
Familiarity with torque control, speed control, DC-bus control, and thermal control loops within a hybrid powertrain.
Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink for system modelling and controller implementation.
Understanding of real-time constraints, scheduling, and embedded controller architecture.
Experience with SIL/HIL validation, test case design, and debugging closed-loop behaviour.
Strong knowledge of engines, generators, inverters, batteries, and DC power systems from a control perspective (actuators, sensors, dynamics).
Bonus: experience with aircraft propulsion, UAV systems, or automotive hybrid ECUs.
Why LAT?
Core team opportunity at a high-conviction deep-tech startup
Real aircraft, real flying hardware, real impact
Build the future of sustainable aviation in India