Sr. Flight Controls Engineer

About the role

Sr. Flight Controls Engineer position based in Bingen, WA (onsite) with $10,000 relocation assistance available. The role involves analyzing real flight data and comparing it to flight models, diagnosing aircraft behavior, tuning flight control and navigation systems, collaborating across flight dynamics, GNC, software, and avionics teams, making informed decisions about aircraft performance, and documenting findings for future reference. The position requires a heavy on‑site presence and offers the opportunity to pioneer in a new space of unmanned helicopters.

Responsibilities

• Analyze real flight data and compare it to flight models.
• Diagnose and explain aircraft behavior, both expected and unexpected.
• Tune and evaluate flight control and navigation systems.
• Collaborate with teams across flight dynamics, GNC, software, and avionics.
• Make informed decisions about aircraft behavior and performance.
• Clearly document findings for team use.

Skills

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Control Systems Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace, UAV, or flight control engineering.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience with flight data analysis and performance validation.
• Strong knowledge in flight mechanics, aerodynamics, and aircraft performance analysis.
• Proficiency in tuning or analyzing flight control and navigation algorithms.
• Proficiency in C/C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink.
• Understanding of embedded systems and avionics interfaces (CAN, UART, TCP/UDP, serial).
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and support hardware/software integration.
• Willingness to travel as needed for flight tests.
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, and other autopilot frameworks.
• Knowledge of Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL) and Software‑in‑the‑Loop (SIL) testing.
• Understanding of DO‑178C and safety‑critical systems.
• Experience with Ground Control Station (GCS) and UAV flight testing.
• Proficiency in control system design.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $147,846.00 – $236,317.00 per year. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Benefits

$10,000 relocation assistance available.