Senior Flight Dynamics & Avionics Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Flight Dynamics & Avionics Engineer to serve as a hands-on technical authority for our advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms in Bingen, WA or as part of our geographically separated Engineering team in Grand Prairie, TX.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and model UAV flight mechanics, including aerodynamic forces, stability, and control response.
• Evaluate and refine flight performance metrics such as endurance, climb rate, turn capability, and control authority.
• Correlate flight test data with aerodynamic and performance models to validate system behavior and identify discrepancies.
• Support flight envelope expansion, ensuring aircraft operate safely within aerodynamic and structural limits.
• Contribute to defining and verifying performance requirements and mission-level objectives.
• Support flight testing as required.
• Review, document, and tune existing control and navigation algorithms for attitude, position, and mission control.
• Analyze control law performance under various flight conditions and refine parameters for improved stability and response.
• Investigate and explain observed flight behaviors through theoretical and numerical analysis.
• Support estimation and sensor fusion performance assessment (IMU, GPS, air data, magnetometer, etc.).
• Collaborate with software and flight test teams to ensure accurate implementation and documentation of GNC logic.
• Own and continuously advance a comprehensive understanding of the autopilot and flight control software architecture, including embedded systems, control laws, and aircraft-level integration.
• Interpret and document algorithmic flow and software-hardware interactions.
• Collaborate with embedded engineers to ensure correct integration and calibration of control laws.
• Occasionally implement or prototype algorithm modifications and diagnostic tools using C/C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Interpret electrical wiring diagrams and avionics schematics to understand system interfaces and dependencies.
• Support system integration and troubleshooting activities related to sensors, flight computers, and actuators.
• Participate in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and bench-level testing to validate overall flight system behavior.
• Produce and maintain detailed technical documentation, including algorithm descriptions, test procedures, and performance reports.
• Contribute to simulation model improvement and data processing workflows.
• Stay informed on advances in UAV flight dynamics, GNC theory, and aeronautical system modeling.
• Mentor 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.
• Excellent ability to translate flight observations into actionable control system improvements.
• Strong communication and documentation skills for technical and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• Microsoft Visual Studio
• Compilers, Debuggers
• Source control (Git/GitLab)

Skills

• Flight Dynamics, Performance & Control Analysis
• Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC)
• Software & Avionics Comprehension
• Electrical and Systems Integration
• Documentation, Research & Continuous Improvement

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes
• Roth 401(k) plan
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)
• Paid time off including personal time, holidays, and a generous paid parental leave program
• Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”), and other supplemental benefit coverages

Pay

$147k to $236K /year

Schedule

Onsite or remote: 95%

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Prescription insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Basic & Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
• Short and Long-term Disability insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off including paid holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Bonus(es) subject to performance criteria