GNC Engineer

Young Community Developers • Irvine, CA

5d • $115,000 - $160,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a GNC UAV engineer to support the development, testing, and validation of unmanned aircraft systems. This role spans both real world flight testing and high-fidelity simulation, integrating aircraft modeling, autopilot tuning, dynamic maneuver execution, and model validation. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable working hands on in field test environments and building detailed aircraft simulations used for performance analysis, control system development, and mission planning.

Requirements

• 3+ years of industry experience with UAVs or related fields.
• Experience developing and tuning GNC algorithms (PID, MPC, EKF/UKF for state estimation)
• Hands-on experience with UAVs and autopilot systems (PX4, Ardupilot)
• Proficiency with mission planning and data analysis tools.
• Familiarity developing 6 DOF aircraft models in MATLAB, Simulink, JSBSim, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with telemetry systems for airborne systems.
• Proven ability to conduct software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and real-world tests
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or related fields.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employment visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Aerospace or related field.
• Familiarity and working knowledge of integrating navigation systems (GPS, IMU, INS, VIO, etc.) into an airborne system
• Proficiency with software development workflows (Git, CI/CD).
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Knowledge / Experience with GNC specific to Group 1 – 2 UAVs.

Responsibilities

• Configure and tune autopilot systems to ensure stable and reliable flight.
• Develop, modify, and maintain flight controller control logic, supporting new payload capabilities, vehicle behavior updates, and mission-specific requirements while ensuring system stability, robustness and compliance with flight safety standards.
• Plan and execute autonomous waypoint missions including climbs, descents, banks, and straight and level segments.
• Execute flight simulation and bench-level validation prior to flight testing, using software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), or other environments to verify control logic, payload interactions, and system behavior before live operations.
• Provide on-site support for flight test operations, working closely with the flight test team during ground and flight events to troubleshoot issues, monitor system performance, and rapidly assess anomalies or unexpected behavior.
• Analyze post-flight logs and test data, identifying performance trends, control issues, integration defects, and opportunities for system improvement; document findings and feed results back into design and software updates.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits package.
• Base dental, vision, life, accident, disability, and other core benefits are fully covered by DZYNE.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• 401 (k) plan with an employer match and immediate vesting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level