GNC Engineer (Controls)

Mach Industries; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

Professional development

Job summary

A defense technology company in California seeks a Controls Engineer to support design and evaluation for fixed-wing aircraft. Responsibilities include designing control systems, implementing control laws, and participating in flight test planning and execution. Candidates should have a Bachelor's in Engineering or a related field and 0-5 years of experience. Strong knowledge of flight dynamics and modern programming languages like MATLAB and C++ is preferred. This role comes with competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• 0-5 years experience in designing flight control systems.
• Deep knowledge of flight dynamics and actuator modeling.
• Familiarity with verification workflows and safety reviews.
• Proficiency in C++ for embedded real‑time systems and MATLAB/Simulink/Python for modeling.
• Experience with SIL/HIL verification and version control workflows.
• Familiarity with PX4 and ROS 2 integration.

Responsibilities

• Design control systems for fixed-wing aircraft.
• Implement control laws considering limits and delays.
• Analyze flight test logs and tune controllers.
• Conduct verification: SIL/HIL, Monte Carlo, flight‑readiness reviews.
• Plan and execute flight tests; analyze logs and tune controllers.
• Collaborate across team to meet roadmap milestones.

Skills

Flight dynamics

Stability and controllability

Modern C++

MATLAB/Simulink/Python

System identification techniques

Education

Bachelors in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics

Tools

PX4

ROS 2

Job description

About Mach Industries

Founded in 2022, Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology company focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. At the core of our mission is the commitment to delivering scalable, decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies. With a workforce of approximately 220 employees, we operate with startup agility and ambition.

Our vision is to redefine the future of warfare through cutting-edge manufacturing, innovation at speed, and unwavering focus on national security. We are dedicated to solving the next generation of warfare with lethal systems that deter kinetic conflict and protect global security.

The Role

Support control design and evaluation for Mach’s fixed-wing aircraft. You’ll own your piece of the aircraft design, implementation, and validation of flight‑critical control laws—spanning takeoff to landing—delivering robust performance across the full envelope.

Key Responsibilities

• Design control systems within defined architecture and requirements for fixed‑wing vehicles

• Design and implement control laws accounting for actuator limits, time delays, and sensor noise as part of the controls team

• Participate in system identification and aerodynamic model development from wind‑tunnel, CFD, and flight‑test data

• Execute verification & validation work: SIL/HIL campaigns, Monte Carlo, and flight‑readiness criteria; communicate findings to the team and program leadership.

• Participate in flight‑test planning and execution; analyze logs, tune controllers, and iterate safely and quickly.

• Learn from the controls team, carry your work through design/code reviews to meet roadmap goals and milestones.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelors in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics

• Experience: 0‑5 years designing, analyzing and fielding flight control systems for fixed‑wing aircraft or high‑performance UAVs, including flight test.

• Deep knowledge of flight dynamics, stability/controllability, and actuator/sensor modeling.

• Familiarity with modern C++ for embedded real‑time implementations; strong MATLAB/Simulink/Python for modeling, ID, and analysis.

• Familiarity with verification workflows (SIL/HIL), requirements traceability, and safety reviews.

• Familiarity with modern software workflows (git, code review, issue tracking) and data/telemetry analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Practical and/or academic experience with modern/MIMO control design (LQR, LQG, LTR), system ID techniques, adaptive control

• Experience with energy‑based control, autothrottle, sideslip/yaw coordination, and advanced control allocation for over‑actuated systems

• Experience integrating with PX4 and ROS 2. Exposure to DO-178C/DO-331/ARP4754A processes or equivalent rigor.

• Comfort optimizing for resource‑constrained processors and hard real‑time constraints (latency/jitter budgets, numerics)

Disclosures

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

Mach participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach’s total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Mach is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. If you’d like to defend the American way of life, please reach out!