Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer

Insitu Inc; Hood River (OR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Insitu Inc seeks a Flight Sciences Engineer to advance autopilot, GNC, and autonomy for Group 2/3 UAS. You will develop high-fidelity models, write control algorithms, and work with suppliers to optimize performance and safety.

Candidates should have a strong aerospace background, MATLAB/Simulink proficiency, and experience with SIL/HIL simulations, regulatory awareness, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5–8 years of aerodynamic or GNC experience for Bachelor’s, 3–6 years for Master’s.
• Strong understanding of controls, navigation, and guidance for air vehicles.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and validation.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze enhancements for Group 2/3 UAS to improve aerodynamics and safety.
• Develop and refine flight control, guidance, and navigation algorithms for autonomous flight.
• Build and validate high-fidelity models, SIL, and HIL simulations.
• Investigate mishaps via telemetry analysis and Monte Carlo simulations.
• Collaborate with autopilot suppliers to address integration and performance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Masters in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

C++

Python

GIT

Job description

Job Title: Flight Sciences Engineer – Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Flight Sciences Engineer with a strong foundation in aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and control theory, and who has demonstrated expertise in autopilot systems and simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink. This role involves designing and analyzing upgrades to UAS systems, developing, and validating autonomous flight capabilities, and contributing to the continual improvement of our aircraft and simulation tool set.

This role requires a mix of technical expertise, hands-on experience, and a collaborative mindset. You will join a small group of team-oriented individuals who are highly collaborative and communicative. You will play a key role in ensuring that Insitu’s unmanned aircraft continue setting the standard for safety, performance, and dependability.

About Us:

At Insitu (A Boeing Company), we’re passionate about advancing the state of the art in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). As a global leader in small UAS design and development, we operate in a fast-paced environment where innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to customer success drive our work. Our Flight Sciences team supports a diverse portfolio of Group 2 and Group 3 UAS, delivering cutting-edge solutions for defense, commercial, and civil aviation applications.

Located in the stunning Columbia Gorge, on the border between Washington and Oregon, our team thrives in a natural playground perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. We’re looking for talented engineers who share our passion for technology and innovation to join us in shaping the future of unmanned aviation.

About You:

We’re looking for an innovative and detail-oriented engineer with a passion for unmanned systems and a solid foundation in aerospace principles. In addition to being technically skilled, you are a collaborative and proactive problem solver, able to balance competing priorities and communicate effectively in a team environment. You are eager to contribute to and learn from a dynamic team developing industry-leading autonomous flight technologies.

What You’ll Do:

• Design and analyze enhancements for Group 2 and Group 3 UAS and their derivatives, ensuring optimized aerodynamics, flight performance, and safety.
• Develop and refine flight control, guidance, and navigation algorithms for UAS, including those supporting autonomous flight and new flight modes.
• Build, validate, and maintain high-fidelity mathematical models, simulations, and analyses tools to ensure accuracy in standalone, Software-In-The-Loop (SIL), and Hardware-In-The-Loop (HIL) simulations.
• Investigate and mitigate mishaps and failure modes through telemetry analysis, root cause investigation, and Monte Carlo simulations.
• Update and customize autopilot and simulation software as needed to support product enhancements and ensure alignment with control system design best practices.
• Collaborate closely with our autopilot supplier to address system integration challenges, improve performance, and design for product effectiveness.
• Stay informed on regulatory trends in unmanned airspace operations and provide design inputs that align with modern regulatory environments and industry advances.
• Support flight test planning, execution, and data analysis for hardware, software, and systems integration.
• Work with engineering, operations, and project management to deliver solutions that meet system performance goals, collaborating cross-functionally while promoting a safety-focused, innovative engineering culture.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace / Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, with an emphasis on aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and control systems.
• Bachelor’s degree with 5-8 years of relevant experience in aerodynamics or GNC specific role, or Master’s degree with 3-6 years of experience.
• Strong understanding of controls, navigation, and guidance methods as applied to air vehicle flight dynamics.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink for developing and validating models for standalone, SIL, and HIL simulations.
• Proven experience applying digital-discrete time control laws to air vehicles.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a track record of identifying failure modes and developing effective solutions.
• Knowledge of air vehicle performance and design trade-offs, including vehicle layout, propulsion requirements, and stability and control analyses.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language such as C++, with familiarity in implementing and integrating control systems in software environments.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary engineering team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with U.S. airspace regulations and operational environments for unmanned systems, including FAA Part 107 guidelines.
• Knowledge of GPS/INS systems and autopilot requirements, as well as experience in their integration into complete air vehicle systems.
• Experience with numerical programming, Python, Matlab/Simulink, C#, and GIT version control systems.
• Background in unmanned aircraft or drone operations, with consideration given to candidates holding a pilot’s license or drone operator’s license.
• Understanding of unmanned aircraft data links and their operational considerations.
• Experience with advanced navigation methods.

In-Office Requirement Statement:

This position is eligible for hybrid work. It is our strong preference that this position is on-site 1-3 days weekly; and therefore, needs to be within commutable distance from Bingen, WA.