GNC Engineer II

InvestedintheMission; Moorpark (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 116,025; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment is expanding its engineering team in Moorpark, CA, seeking a GNC Engineer II with a multi‑disciplinary background to support flight control system development and validation across products. The role mixes GN&C, flight testing, PCB design, software, and other projects to ensure robust, fieldable systems.

The position emphasizes participation in proposals and project estimates, coordinating with multi‑discipline teams, and delivering validated engineering outcomes for unmanned and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering discipline required or equivalent education, training, and experience.
• 3+ years' of combined experience in aircraft design and/or project management, GN&C, flight testing, systems engineering and program management or Masters degree in lieu of experience.
• Demonstrated hands‑on attitude with a broad range of development experience.
• Knowledge of Autopilot hardware and software; Flight control hardware and software; Certification basics for aircraft (Part 23 & Part 27); Ground control communications hardware and software; Air vehicle subsystems integration & test.

Responsibilities

• Supports the design, development and validation of the flight control system for current and new products.
• Supports system interfaces, test and flight test activities from subscale to full scale within perimeter.
• Implements designed flight control algorithms on to the aircraft flight control system hardware.
• Prepares and executes the validation of the flight control system including analysis (SIL/HIL/iron bird).
• Ensures proper integration and validation of the flight control system together with the avionic system.
• Supports the test team as required to explore and validate technical solutions.

Skills

GN&C

Flight testing

Systems engineering

Project management

Autopilot hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Autopilot hardware

Flight control hardware

Ground control comms hardware

Air vehicle subsystems integration

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

AeroVironment is expanding our engineering team in Moorpark, CA. Come join our growing multidisciplinary team as part of the MacCready Works Advanced Solutions segment!

AeroVironment

If you thrive on a culture of relentless problem-solving and invention, and want to work for a global front-runner where you tackle real-world challenges, then AeroVironment is the place for you. Come join our group of innovative thinkers and discover how collaborative efforts produce extraordinary products that touch lives around the world. Our 50 years of experience in unmanned and robotic systems gives us the knowledge and expertise to confront the unknown and provide newly-discovered solutions for our customers. We research and develop advanced technologies in robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity to identify innovative solutions that push beyond the current applications.

Summary

We are hiring a GNC Engineer II with a multi-disciplinary background to include GN&C (60%), flight testing (20%), PCB Design (5%), Software (5%) and other projects (10%). This role assists in development of technical proposals and project estimates, supports technical and engineering conflicts to resolution and ensures the engineering needs of their assigned product development projects are met.

Position Responsibilities

• Supports the design, development and validation of the flight control system for current and new products
• Supports system interfaces, test and flight test activities from subscale to full scale within perimeter
• Implements designed flight control algorithms on to the aircraft flight control system hardware
• Prepares and executes the validation of the flight control system including analysis (SIL/HIL/iron bird)
• Ensures proper integration and validation of the flight control system together with the avionic system
• Supports the test team as required to explore and validate technical solutions
• Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors
• Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work and general instructions on new assignments
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 3+ years' of combined experience in aircraft design and/or project management, GN&C, flight testing, systems engineering and program management or Masters degree in lieu of experience.
• Demonstrated hands‑on attitude with a broad range of development experience
• Has good knowledge of engineering disciplines and prior experience in the development of any of these systems for manned or unmanned air vehicles: Autopilot hardware and software; Flight control hardware and software; Part 23 & part 27 aircraft certification; Ground control communications hardware and software; Ground control support equipment; Air vehicle subsystems integration & test; Air vehicle systems communications hardware and software; High voltage electrical power systems
• Travel within the continental U.S. is required to support flight test operations (up to 20%)

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Familiar with office software and computer based productivity tools. Demonstrated competence in engineering processes and design tools
• Knowledge of appropriate design and simulation tools and validation techniques
• Demonstrates strong communication (verbal & written), presentation and collaboration skills
• Able to excel in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work productsIs committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Demonstrates effective problem‑solving, analytical and interpersonal skills with the ability to work well across disciplines. Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and R&D environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and lab equipment (Frequent)
• Travel: 10-25% travel is expected to support meetings and test events.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$82,000 - $116,025

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

About AV

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission‑obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required