GNC Engineer

DZYNE Technologies; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

DZYNE Technologies, now part of Ondas Sentinel, seeks a GNC UAV engineer to support development, testing, and validation of unmanned aircraft systems. The role spans real-world flight testing and high-fidelity simulations, including aircraft modeling, autopilot tuning, and mission planning.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in UAVs, hands-on with PX4/ArduPilot, and experience SIL/HIL testing, MATLAB/Simulink, and data-driven analysis for control systems.

Qualifications

• 3+ years UAV experience
• Hands-on with GNC algorithms and autopilots
• Experience with SIL/HIL and real-world tests

Responsibilities

• Configure and tune autopilot systems for stable flight
• Develop and modify flight controller logic for payloads and mission needs
• Plan and execute autonomous waypoint missions
• Perform SIL/HIL and live flight validation before testing
• Provide on-site support during flight tests and troubleshoot issues
• Analyze post-flight logs to identify improvements

Skills

GNC engineering

GNC algorithms

UAV autopilots

PX4/Ardupilot

Mission planning

SIL/HIL testing

MATLAB/Simulink

Data analysis

Telemetry systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree (plus)

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

JSBSim

Git/CI/CD

PX4

Ardupilot

Job description

About Our Transition To Ondas Sentinel

DZYNE Technologies was recently acquired by Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS) and, together with World View, has joined forces to create Ondas Sentinel. Ondas Sentinel is a next-generation U.S. defense platform integrating long-endurance ISR, autonomous systems, counter-UAS technologies, and mission intelligence.

About Our Transition To Ondas Sentinel

DZYNE Technologies was recently acquired by Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS) and, together with World View, has joined forces to create Ondas Sentinel. Ondas Sentinel is a next-generation U.S. defense platform integrating long-endurance ISR, autonomous systems, counter-UAS technologies, and mission intelligence.

While DZYNE is now part of Ondas Sentinel, we are still legally operating as DZYNE as we complete the formal integration of our systems and processes. As a result, you may see roles cross-posted across DZYNE and World View, during this transition. All positions represent opportunities within the same combined organization.

What does this mean for candidates?

• You’re joining a team that is accelerating the future of autonomous defense.
• You’ll be part of a company backed by significant investment, strong growth, and mission-proven technology.
• You’ll work alongside world-class engineers and innovators who have already delivered thousands of operational flight hours, high-impact ISR capabilities, leading counter-UAS systems, and breakthrough autonomous effects.
• You’ll help shape a unified platform that enables operators to see more, decide faster, and act with confidence across the modern battlespace.

Together, Ondas Sentinel is building something bigger than any one company, a scalable, integrated defense organization designed to meet emerging mission needs with speed, precision, and purpose.

If you’re energized by ambitious missions, rapid innovation, and a chance to help define the future of autonomous defense, we’d love to have you on the team.

Position Title: GNC Engineer Location: Irvine, CA Work Arrangement: On-site

We are seeking a GNC UAV engineer to support the development, testing, and validation of unmanned aircraft systems. This role spans both real world flight testing and high-fidelity simulation, integrating aircraft modeling, autopilot tuning, dynamic maneuver execution, and model validation. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable working hands on in field test environments and building detailed aircraft simulations used for performance analysis, control system development, and mission planning.

Required Duties And Responsibilities

• Configure and tune autopilot systems to ensure stable and reliable flight.
• Develop, modify, and maintain flight controller control logic, supporting new payload capabilities, vehicle behavior updates, and mission-specific requirements while ensuring system stability, robustness and compliance with flight safety standards.
• Plan and execute autonomous waypoint missions including climbs, descents, banks, and straight and level segments.
• Execute flight simulation and bench-level validation prior to flight testing, using software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), or other environments to verify control logic, payload interactions, and system behavior before live operations.
• Provide on-site support for flight test operations, working closely with the flight test team during ground and flight events to troubleshoot issues, monitor system performance, and rapidly assess anomalies or unexpected behavior.
• Analyze post-flight logs and test data, identifying performance trends, control issues, integration defects, and opportunities for system improvement; document findings and feed results back into design and software updates.

Required Skills/Qualifications

• 3+ years of industry experience with UAVs or related fields.
• Experience developing and tuning GNC algorithms (PID, MPC, EKF/UKF for state estimation)
• Hands‑on experience with UAVs and autopilot systems (PX4, Ardupilot)
• Proficiency with mission planning and data analysis tools.
• Familiarity developing 6 DOF aircraft models in MATLAB, Simulink, JSBSim, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with telemetry systems for airborne systems.
• Proven ability to conduct software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and real‑world tests

Preferred Skills/Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace or related field.
• Familiarity and working knowledge of integrating navigation systems (GPS, IMU, INS, VIO, etc.) into an airborne system
• Proficiency with software development workflows (Git, CI/CD).
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Knowledge / Experience with GNC specific to Group 1 – 2 UAVs.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or related fields.
• Master’s degree is a plus.

Clearance Level Required: None.

Export Control / ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information and technology subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms

Work Authorization Requirement: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employment visa sponsorship.

Travel Required: Less Than 10%.

Working Conditions: The diversity of work conditions may range from an environment where there is little or no physical discomfort, such as a general office environment, to warehouse and other facilities.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Must have the ability to stoop, stand, climb, occasionally lift a minimum of 25 lbs.
• Involves movement between departments, floors, and worksites to facilitate work.

Salary: $115,000 - $160,000 annually

Salary depends on relevant work experience, education, training, essential skills, and/or other factors such as specialized or high-demand professions. In addition to the annual salary, the position will be eligible for an annual bonus. The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of salary or annual bonus.

Benefits

Our benefits are DZYNE’ed for your overall health and financial wellness. DZYNE offers a comprehensive healthcare benefits package. Base dental, vision, life, accident, disability, and other core benefits are fully covered by DZYNE. DZYNE provides paid time off and paid holidays. Additionally, DZYNE offers a 401 (k) plan with an employer match and immediate vesting.

Some Final Notes

The description gives you a sense of what the position involves but is not an exhaustive list. We are a growing and evolving team, which means your responsibilities may shift or expand overtime as new opportunities arise. Flexibility and curiosity are part of what makes our work exciting!

DZYNE Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, DZYNE Technologies complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which our company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.