Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer

REGENT • North Kingstown, RI

105d

About The Position

At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before.
Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.

Role Overview
As a Controls Engineer, you’ll help shape the way a revolutionary new class of vehicle moves. You’ll contribute to the development of the seaglider’s flight-control logic - ensuring it remains stable, responsive, and safe as it seamlessly transitions from displacement to hydrofoil to wing-in-ground-effect flight. Your work will coordinate aerodynamic and hydrodynamic surfaces into a unified, intelligent system that can gracefully handle gusts, waves, and the unexpected. Through high-fidelity simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and hands-on tuning during sea trials, you’ll play a key role in turning cutting-edge control theory into a certifiable, real-world mobility solution that changes how coastal regions connect.

As part of the Software Team, you’ll be joining a group of driven, collaborative, and talented engineers who take pride in solving complex technical challenges and making an impact as a team. We hold a high bar for engineering rigor, move fast, think boldly, and rely on our teamwork to push boundaries and and turn breakthrough ideas into real-world technology

If you’re energized by working at the intersection of cutting-edge innovation, real-world impact, and hands-on engineering, you’ll be in the right place - and we’d be thrilled to have you on the team!

Requirements

• Proven track record of designing and flight-testing control systems for aircraft, UAS, or similarly complex vehicles, driven by a deep passion for advancing control in multi-modal, high-coupling environments where safety, stability, and performance must coexist.
• Strong theoretical foundation in control theory, plus hands-on application to real systems
• Proven design of real-world control systems and state-estimation filters.
• Experience designing control algorithms and simulations in MATLAB/Simulink
• Demonstrated safety & quality mindset in regulated or mission-critical programs.

Nice To Haves

• Direct contribution to ARP4754A, DO-178C, or DO-254 certification artifacts.
• CFD-coupled control design or ground-effect / hydrofoil dynamics experience.
• Flight-test or sea-trial planning and execution

Responsibilities

• Own vehicle control laws: Design and implement control laws for stabilization, mode transitions, envelope protection, and emergency fallbacks that keep the seaglider safe and responsive across all phases of flight.
• Apply safety-critical rigor: Define and trace requirements, lead design/code reviews, and develop rigorous test plans including SIL and HIL to meet certification-grade robustness.
• Simulate, analyze, refine: Use and extend high-fidelity simulation environments (MATLAB/Simulink or custom frameworks) to design and validate GNC algorithms. Perform both linear and nonlinear analysis to evaluate performance and iterate with confidence.
• Integrate multisensor navigation: Develop and optimize state estimation algorithms that integrate GNSS/INS, radar altimeter, and other sensor inputs for reliable positioning in challenging maritime environments.
• Tune with real-world data: Leverage flight test and sea trial data to iteratively refine control algorithms and close the loop between simulation and reality.
• Collaborate across disciplines: Work closely with aero, hydro, mechanical, and systems teams to align on actuator specs, control-surface design, and verification strategies.
• Lead test events: Plan, execute, and analyze full-scale test events to validate and mature flight controls, driving toward a certifiable and production-ready system.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation including a robust equity incentive plan.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance - we cover 100% of your premiums.
• 401(k) with company matching, so you can plan for the future.
• Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks.
• Relocation packages available for those moving to join our team.
• Daily, free catered lunches
• Learning & professional development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed