Guidance, Navigation and Controls Manager

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

Guidance, Navigation and Controls Manager

Fort Worth, Texas

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting‑edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next‑generation flight systems, you belong here.

We'relooking for apeople-firstGuidance, Navigation, and Control(GNC)EngineeringManagerto oversee the development, integration, and maintenance ofthe guidance, navigation,controland analysisdomainsof oursoftware for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This role involves leading a team ofGNCengineers, collaborating with cross-functional teams (aero, software,hardware, systems, and flight operations), and ensuring that all softwarecomplies withsafety, performance, and regulatory requirements. The candidate willbe responsible forthe entire software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering through design, implementation, and validation.

GNCEngineering Manager –Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Management: Build, mentor, and manage a high-performingGNCengineering team developing mission-critical embedded software for UAV flight control, communications, mission planning, and data processing.
• Technical Direction & Architecture Oversight: Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance for GNC algorithms, ensuring scalability, safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
• Project & Execution Coordination: Coordinate with product and program managers to define project scope, allocate resources, set priorities, and manage software development schedules for flight control, mission management, and payload software programs.
• Systems Integration & Delivery: Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering groups to ensure seamless integration of GNC software with hardware, sensors, communication systems, and ground control systems.
• Quality Assurance & Safety: Oversee verification and validation activities, including unit testing, simulation, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HITL), and flight testing to ensure performance, robustness, and safety of delivered software.
• Compliance & Certification Leadership: Ensure development follows certification frameworks and safety standards such as DO‑178C, ARP4754, and other UAV regulatory requirements.
• Innovation & Technology Strategy: Evaluate emerging technologies and drive adoption into product roadmaps, supporting advancement in autonomy, communications, and mission capabilities.
• Process Improvement: Help refine development best practices, coding standards, test methodologies, and documentation processes to support scalability and efficiency.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Align software engineering goals with product, business, and operational requirements by coordinating closely with program and product management, systems engineering, hardware engineering, and flight operations teams.
• Documentation Oversight : Ensure creation and maintenance of high‑quality documentation including design artifacts, test plans, certification documentation, and user manuals.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of 7+ years of GNC engineering experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership, management, or team‑lead role.
• Skills:
• Expertise in Matlab/Simulink and auto‑code generation for embedded systems.
• Advanced knowledge of control theory, flight dynamics, and embedded systems.
• Proven ability to run and analyze SWIL and HWIL simulations.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills
• Knowledge of software development lifecycle tools and workflow systems (Git, GitHub, JIRA, CI/CD).
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse technical teams, communicate effectively, and drive results in a fast‑paced engineering environment.
• Familiarity with safety