GNC Analysis Engineer

Actalent; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 62,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent in Fort Worth, TX is seeking a GNC Analysis Engineer to perform detailed flight dynamics and vehicle performance analyses for an autonomous aerial refueling program. You will review mission data and simulations to ensure safety, stability, and operational viability, and you will document findings for engineering teams.

The role requires strong MATLAB/Simulink experience, data interpretation across mission phases, and clear technical writing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace/mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• Experience with flight data analysis and flight-test data preferred.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Ability to work with CUI per guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Analyze aircraft flight dynamics and flying qualities data from mission plan executions.
• Review flight model outputs to assess mission safety and vehicle performance.
• Evaluate 6DOF simulation and flight results across all mission phases.
• Assess aircraft behavior during waypoint transitions, turns and maneuvers.
• Monitor flight parameters like Nz, AoA, sideslip, control surfaces, stability.
• Identify anomalies and determine impact on mission safety and effectiveness.
• Document findings and communicate results to engineers and stakeholders.
• Provide data-driven recommendations for mission plan validation.
• Suggest process improvements and automation opportunities.

Skills

Flight dynamics

Stability & control

Performance analysis

6DOF analysis

Data interpretation

Analytical skills

Technical writing

Verbal communication

CUI handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

MatrixX

Job description

Job Title: GNC Analysis Engineer Job Description The GNC Analysis Engineer supports an autonomous aerial refueling aircraft program by performing detailed aircraft flight dynamics and vehicle performance analysis. The role focuses on reviewing and validating mission flight data and simulation outputs to ensure that mission plans are safe, stable, and operationally viable. The engineer analyzes post-flight and simulation results, identifies anomalies, evaluates flying qualities, and provides clear recommendations for mission plan validation. This is a data analysis and flight performance evaluation position, distinct from mission planning, control law development, or simulation development roles.

Responsibilities

• Analyze aircraft flight dynamics and flying qualities data generated from mission plan executions for an autonomous aerial refueling aircraft program.
• Review flight model outputs, including line-over-line plots and other performance data, to determine mission safety and overall vehicle performance.
• Evaluate 6 Degree of Freedom (6DOF) simulation and flight results across all phases of the mission.
• Assess aircraft behavior during waypoint transitions, turns and maneuvering, contingency and divert routes, and takeoff and landing operations.
• Monitor and evaluate critical flight parameters such as load factors (Nz), angle of attack (AoA), sideslip/beta, control surface positions and rates, and stability and oscillatory behavior.
• Identify undesirable flight characteristics, anomalies, oscillations, or performance concerns and determine their impact on mission safety and effectiveness.
• Validate multiple mission paths and flight profiles provided by the customer to confirm safe and stable operation.
• Document analysis findings in a clear, organized manner and communicate results to engineering teams and program stakeholders.
• Provide recommendations for mission plan validation based on data-driven assessment of flight dynamics and performance.
• Contribute ideas and recommendations for process improvements and potential test and analysis automation opportunities.
• Collaborate with program personnel to ensure that mission validation efforts align with operational requirements and performance objectives.

Essential Skills

• Strong understanding of aircraft flight dynamics, including the ability to evaluate vehicle behavior across different mission phases.
• Solid knowledge of stability and control principles and their application to fixed-wing aircraft.
• Proficiency in aircraft performance analysis and flying qualities assessment.
• Experience analyzing 6DOF aircraft simulation or flight test results.
• Ability to interpret vehicle dynamics data and assess safe aircraft operation across mission phases such as waypoint transitions, maneuvering, contingency routes, and takeoff and landing.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends, anomalies, and performance issues in complex flight datasets.
• Effective technical writing skills to produce clear documentation of analysis methods, findings, and recommendations.
• Strong verbal communication skills to present results and collaborate with engineering and program stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Ability to work with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in accordance with applicable guidelines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience conducting or supporting flight test data analysis.
• Experience with autonomous aircraft, UAVs, drones, or other unmanned systems.
• Experience supporting military aircraft programs.
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Simulink, MatrixX, or similar aerospace analysis and modeling tools.
• Experience with flying wing or low-observable aircraft platforms such as B-21, X-47, MQ-25, or similar aircraft.
• Experience identifying opportunities for analysis automation and process improvement within flight dynamics and performance evaluation workflows.
• Background in structural analysis is beneficial.
• U.S. citizenship is required for this role.
• No security clearance is required to perform the responsibilities of this position.

Work Environment

Work is performed onsite at an engineering center in the Fort Worth, Texas area. Engineers collaborate closely with program teams and will work with mission plan validation datasets and flight performance outputs provided by the Navy. The environment supports high-volume mission validation efforts for autonomous aircraft operations, with regular access to simulation tools, flight data, and aerospace analysis software such as MATLAB, Simulink, MatrixX, or similar platforms. The setting is a professional office and lab environment focused on aerospace engineering, data analysis, and performance evaluation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Fort Worth, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $75.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position 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. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Fort Worth, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 26, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Fort Worth,TX.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.