Senior Flight Dynamics, Avionics Engineer

Responsibilities

• Analyzing and modeling UAV flight mechanics, including aerodynamic forces, stability, and control response.
• Evaluating and refining flight performance metrics such as endurance, climb rate, turn capability, and control authority.
• Correlating flight test data with aerodynamic and performance models to validate system behavior and identify discrepancies.
• Supporting flight envelope expansion, ensuring aircraft operate safely within aerodynamic and structural limits.
• Contributing to defining and verifying performance requirements and mission‑level objectives.
• Supporting flight testing as required.
• Reviewing, documenting, and tuning existing control and navigation algorithms for attitude, position, and mission control.
• Analyzing control law performance under various flight conditions and refining parameters for improved stability and response.
• Investigating and explaining observed flight behaviors through theoretical and numerical analysis.
• Supporting estimation and sensor fusion performance assessment (IMU, GPS, air data, magnetometer, etc.).
• Collaborating with software and flight test teams to ensure accurate implementation and documentation of GNC logic.
• Owning and continuously advancing a comprehensive understanding of the autopilot and flight control software architecture, including embedded systems, control laws, and aircraft‑level integration.
• Interpreting and documenting algorithmic flow and software‑hardware interactions.
• Collaborating with embedded engineers to ensure correct integration and calibration of control laws.
• Occasionally implementing or prototyping algorithm modifications and diagnostic tools using C/C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Interpreting electrical wiring diagrams and avionics schematics to understand system interfaces and dependencies.
• Supporting system integration and troubleshooting activities related to sensors, flight computers, and actuators.
• Participating in hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL), and bench‑level testing to validate overall flight system behavior.
• Producing and maintaining detailed technical documentation, including algorithm descriptions, test procedures, and performance reports.
• Contributing to simulation model improvement and data processing workflows.
• Staying informed on advances in UAV flight dynamics, GNC theory, and aeronautical system modeling.
• Mentoring junior engineers on principles of flight mechanics, stability, and control system design.

Requirements

• Possess a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Control Systems Engineering.
• Have ten (10) + years' of experience in aerospace, UAV, or flight control engineering.
• Have five (5) + years' of hands‑on experience with flight data analysis and performance validation.
• Strong background in flight mechanics, aerodynamics, and aircraft performance analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge tuning or analyzing flight control and navigation algorithms.
• Familiarity with C/C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink for analysis, documentation, or prototyping.
• Understanding of embedded systems and avionics interfaces (CAN, UART, TCP/UDP, serial).
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and support hardware/software integration.
• Good understanding of embedded systems and software development practices, with demonstrated ability to solve technical problems with little supervision.
• Strong understanding of aircraft dynamics, stability & control, and flight performance principles.
• Skilled in data analysis, simulation, and model correlation using real flight data.
• Excellent ability to translate flight observations into actionable control system improvements.
• Strong communication and documentation skills for technical and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Microsoft Visual Studio Compilers, Debuggers Source control Git or GitLab.
• Travel Required: 10% Domestic and International.
• Citizenship: Must be a US Person under ITAR definition.

Hard Skills

• UAV flight mechanics
• aerodynamics
• flight performance analysis
• flight control algorithms
• C/C++
• Python
• MATLAB/Simulink
• embedded systems
• data analysis
• simulation modeling

Soft Skills

• problem‑solving
• communication
• documentation
• mentoring
• collaboration
• technical writing
• independent work
• analytical thinking
• attention to detail
• leadership