Flight Research Guidance, Navigation and Controls (GNC) Engineer
$149,000–$206,000 year
On-siteSanta Cruz, California, United States
Job Summary
Deliver high-quality C++ flight controls software for VTOL and CTOL aircraft, contributing to open-loop and closed-loop stability and performance analysis tools. Formulate test plans to demonstrate solution robustness and directly support flight testing as a required crewmember in a remote ground station. Collaborate with the software and controls team to ideate, plan, and execute integrated solutions while leveraging simulation software for rapid aircraft design iteration. This role requires expert-level knowledge of modern control methods and real-time signal processing within a small, agile team focused on novel aircraft configurations.
Required Qualifications
- Expert level understanding of aircraft dynamics
- Expert level knowledge of modern control methods including robust control and optimal control
- Experience writing real-time and safety-critical C++ flight software
- Experience developing simulation and tools for linear analysis of dynamic systems (open-loop and closed-loop)
- Experience writing C++ and Python in a professional environment
- Experience with real-time signal processing
- Must qualify as a 'US Person' as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15
Desired Qualifications
- Experience developing flight-test experiments for quantitative characterization of controls performance
- Experience with system ID analysis techniques and testing methods
- Experience developing flight controls and flight automation algorithms for both CTOL and VTOL aircraft
- Experience with automatic differentiation tools
Additional Requirements
- This position must meet US export control compliance requirements, therefore a candidate must qualify as a 'US Person' as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15.
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