Flight Controls Engineer, Autonomy
We are seeking a Flight Controls Engineer with a strong focus on autonomy to support the development, integration, and validation of advanced flight control systems for next-generation aircraft. This role sits at the intersection of flight controls, guidance, navigation, and autonomous system development, enabling increasingly capable and certifiable autonomous operations.
The ideal candidate will work closely with control law, software, and systems teams to integrate autonomy functions with the flight control system and broader vehicle architecture. This includes supporting autonomous behaviors such as mission execution, contingency management, and vehicle decision-making. The role requires close collaboration with simulation, systems engineering, and flight test teams to ensure robust, safe, and scalable autonomy solutions.
How you will contribute to revolutionizing electric aviation:
Support integration and validation of flight control systems enabling autonomous and semi-autonomous operation
Contribute to autonomy architecture, including mode management, state machines, and decision logic
Integrate flight control systems with Flight Management Systems (FMS), navigation systems, and offboard/ground control interfaces
Support system-level requirements development, traceability, and verification for autonomy features
Develop and execute test plans across simulation, Iron Bird, and flight test environments
Analyze flight test data to evaluate control system and autonomy performance
Ensure compliance with certification standards and safety-critical development practices
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to mature autonomy capabilities from concept through flight
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field
Experience with flight control systems or guidance, navigation, and control (GNC)
Strong understanding of control systems and aircraft dynamics
Experience with MATLAB/Simulink or similar modeling and simulation tools
Familiarity with embedded systems and real-time software environments
Experience developing or integrating autonomous systems, robotics, or decision-making algorithms
Above and Beyond Qualifications:
Experience with eVTOL, UAV, or advanced aircraft programs
Familiarity with DO-178C, DO-331, ARP4754, or similar certification frameworks
Experience with state estimation, sensor fusion, or path planning algorithms
Exposure to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), Iron Bird, or flight test campaigns
Programming experience in C/C++ or Python
Understanding of communication systems for autonomy (radio links, datalinks, ground control systems)
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
Based in South Burlington, VT; on-site presence required to support labs, rigs, and integrated testing. Occasional travel to test sites and suppliers as needed.
The wage listed here reflects our best faith estimate for this role. We pay competitively and base compensation on a variety of factors including skills, experience, industry background, and the evolving needs of the role. We remain committed to fair and equitable pay and we're happy to discuss during the interview process.
Compensation
$125,000—$150,000 USD