GNC Engineering Manager for UAV Flight Control

Zone 5 Technologies; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Zone 5 Technologies in Fort Worth, Texas seeks a Guidance, Navigation and Controls Engineering Manager to lead a high‑performance GNC software team for UAV flight control, mission planning, and data processing.

You will own the full software development lifecycle—from requirements through design, implementation, validation, and certification—collaborating with aero, software, hardware, and flight operations to meet safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering; Master’s preferred.
• 7+ years in GNC engineering with 3+ years in leadership.
• Proficiency in Matlab/Simulink and auto-code generation for embedded systems.
• Advanced knowledge of control theory, flight dynamics, and embedded systems.
• Experience running SWIL and HWIL simulations and validating flight software.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with lifecycle tools: Git, GitHub, JIRA, CI/CD.

Responsibilities

• Lead a GNC engineering team developing embedded software for UAV flight control, communications, mission planning, and data processing.
• Provide technical direction and architecture oversight for GNC algorithms.
• Coordinate with product managers to define scope, priorities, and schedules.
• Collaborate with hardware, sensors, and ground control systems for integration.
• Oversee verification, validation, HITL, and flight testing for safety and performance.
• Lead certification efforts following DO-178C, ARP4754, and UAV standards.
• Drive innovation and adoption of new technologies into product roadmaps.
• Improve development processes, coding standards, and documentation.

Skills

Matlab/Simulink

Control theory

Flight dynamics

Embedded systems

SWIL/HWIL simulations

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Git

GitHub

JIRA

CI/CD

Job description

Zone 5 Technologies in Fort Worth, Texas seeks a Guidance, Navigation and Controls Engineering Manager to lead a high‑performance GNC software team for UAV flight control, mission planning, and data processing.

You will own the full software development lifecycle—from requirements through design, implementation, validation, and certification—collaborating with aero, software, hardware, and flight operations to meet safety and regulatory standards.