Flight Controls Engineer — Data-Driven UAV Avionics

Actalent; United States; On-site; USD 148,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Flight Controls Engineer to analyze real flight data and compare it to models, diagnosing aircraft behavior and tuning flight control and navigation systems. You will collaborate with flight dynamics, GNC, software, and avionics teams and document findings for future reference.

This permanent on-site role is based in Bingen, WA, with potential transition to hybrid. Travel may be required for flight tests and the ideal candidate has extensive aerospace experience with C/C++,

Qualifications

• 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.
• Familiarity with 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.

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

Flight data analysis

Aerospace engineering

Controls engineering

C/C++

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

Embedded systems

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace/Avionics/Electrical/Control Systems Engineering

Tools

PX4 autopilot

ArduPilot

GCS

MATLAB/Simulink

HIL

SIL

Job description

Actalent is seeking a Flight Controls Engineer to analyze real flight data and compare it to models, diagnosing aircraft behavior and tuning flight control and navigation systems. You will collaborate with flight dynamics, GNC, software, and avionics teams and document findings for future reference.

This permanent on-site role is based in Bingen, WA, with potential transition to hybrid. Travel may be required for flight tests and the ideal candidate has extensive aerospace experience with C/C++,