GNC Engineering Manager UAV Flight Control Systems

Zone 5 Technologies

Town of Texas (WI)

On-site

USD 177,000 - 209,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

401k with company-match

4 weeks PTO

12 annual holidays

Job summary

Zone 5 Technologies is seeking a GNC Engineering Manager to lead the guidance, navigation, and control software for UAVs. You will oversee a team of engineers, coordinate with cross-functional groups, and ensure safety, performance, and DO-178C/ARP4754 compliance across the software lifecycle.

Responsibilities include technical direction, architecture oversight, integration with hardware and sensors, validation through HITL and flight tests, and certification leadership to advance autonomy and

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field; master's preferred.
7+ years in GNC engineering with at least 3 years in leadership roles.
Expertise in MATLAB/Simulink and embedded systems.
Solid knowledge of control theory, flight dynamics, and SWIL/HWIL simulations.
Experience with life-cycle tools and workflows (Git, GitHub, JIRA, CI/CD).
Familiarity with safety-critical systems and DO-178C/ARP4754.

Responsibilities

Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing GNC engineering team developing mission-critical embedded software for UAV flight control, communications, mission planning, and data processing.
Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance for GNC algorithms ensuring safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate with product/program managers to define scope, allocate resources, set priorities, and manage schedules for flight control and payload software.
Collaborate with cross-functional groups to ensure seamless integration with hardware, sensors, and ground control systems.
Oversee verification and validation activities including unit testing, simulation, HITL, and flight testing.
Ensure development follows certification frameworks and safety standards such as DO-178C and ARP4754.
Evaluate emerging technologies and drive adoption into product roadmaps for autonomy and mission capabilities.
Refine development practices, coding standards, test methodologies, and documentation processes.
Coordinate with stakeholders across product, systems engineering, hardware, and flight operations.
Ensure creation and maintenance of design artifacts, test plans, certification docs, and user manuals.