Senior Flight Dynamics & Avionics Engineer

Prestwick Aerosystems; Bingen (WA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Aerovel Corporation is seeking a Senior Flight Dynamics & Avionics Engineer to lead analysis of UAV flight dynamics, control and autopilot software integration. The role spans aerodynamics, embedded software and real flight data with hands‑on responsibilities.

You will mentor engineers, refine performance requirements, and collaborate across software, hardware and test teams to ensure safe, reliable vehicle operation.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics or Control Systems.

Responsibilities

• Analyze UAV flight dynamics, including aerodynamics, stability, and control.
• Tune and verify GNC algorithms for attitude, position and mission control.
• Understand and advance autopilot software architecture and avionics interfaces.
• Collaborate with software and test teams to ensure correct integration.
• Mentor engineers on flight mechanics, stability and control theory.

Skills

Flight dynamics

GNC

C/C++

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

Embedded systems

Data analysis

Modeling & simulation

Documentation

Education

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Git

CAN/UART/TCP/UDP

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a Senior Flight Dynamics & Avionics Engineer to serve as a hands‑on technical authority for our advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms in Bingen, WA or as part of our geographically separated Engineering team in Grand Prairie, TX. In this role, you won’t just be designing abstract concepts—you will bridge the gap between aerodynamics, embedded software, and real flight behavior to ensure our aircraft operate safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Meet the Team

The Airbus Helicopters Flexrotor Program offers one of the most sophisticated small tactical unmanned aerial systems (STUAS) with vertical take‑off and landing (VTOL). It can be used day or night by US and allied forces for a diverse range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) on land and at sea.

Your Working Environment

Nestled in the heart of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge in Bingen, WA, our workplace offers innovation and the ability to contribute to game‑changing solutions while enjoying the flexibility to spread your wings. Whether it's solving complex challenges, or celebrating victories, you’ll be part of a cohesive crew that thrives on innovation and the beauty that the Northwest has to offer! --or-- A suburb just outside the Dallas‑Fort Worth metropolitan area is home to Airbus Helicopters U.S. regional headquarters, where we have more than 1,000 employees. Check out one of the seven professional sports teams that also call Dallas home – you may even see a special, custom Airbus helicopter dedicated to the Dallas Cowboys flying during home games. (Note‑candidate(s) selected from the DFW area will be expected to travel to Bingen, WA extensively during the first 90 days of employment)

How We Care for You

Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)
Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.
Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high‑deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages.

Your Challenges

Flight Dynamics, Performance & Control Analysis (30%)

• Analyze and model UAV flight mechanics, including aerodynamic forces, stability, and control response.
• Evaluate and refine flight performance metrics such as endurance, climb rate, turn capability, and control authority.
• Correlate flight test data with aerodynamic and performance models to validate system behavior and identify discrepancies.
• Support flight envelope expansion, ensuring aircraft operate safely within aerodynamic and structural limits.
• Contribute to defining and verifying performance requirements and mission‑level objectives.
• Supports flight testing as required.

Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Understanding and Refinement (30%)

• Review, document, and tune existing control and navigation algorithms for attitude, position, and mission control.
• Analyze control law performance under various flight conditions and refine parameters for improved stability and response.
• Investigate and explain observed flight behaviors through theoretical and numerical analysis.
• Support estimation and sensor fusion performance assessment (IMU, GPS, air data, magnetometer, etc.).
• Collaborate with software and flight test teams to ensure accurate implementation and documentation of GNC logic.

Software & Avionics Comprehension (20%)

• Own and continuously advance a comprehensive understanding of the autopilot and flight control software architecture, including embedded systems, control laws, and aircraft‑level integration.
• Interpret and document algorithmic flow and software‑hardware interactions.
• Collaborate with embedded engineers to ensure correct integration and calibration of control laws.
• Occasionally implement or prototype algorithm modifications and diagnostic tools using C/C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink.

Electrical and Systems Integration (10%)

• Interpret electrical wiring diagrams and avionics schematics to understand system interfaces and dependencies.
• Support system integration and troubleshooting activities related to sensors, flight computers, and actuators.
• Participate in hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL), and bench‑level testing to validate overall flight system behavior.

Documentation, Research & Continuous Improvement (10%)

• Produce and maintain detailed technical documentation, including algorithm descriptions, test procedures, and performance reports.
• Contribute to simulation model improvement and data processing workflows.
• Stay informed on advances in UAV flight dynamics, GNC theory, and aeronautical system modeling.
• Mentor junior engineers on principles of flight mechanics, stability, and control system design.

Your Boarding Pass

• Possess a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Control Systems Engineering.
• Have ten (10) + years' of experience in aerospace, UAV, or flight control engineering.
• Have five (5) + years' of hands‑on experience with flight data analysis and performance validation.
• Strong background in flight mechanics, aerodynamics, and aircraft performance analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge tuning or analyzing flight control and navigation algorithms.
• Familiarity with C/C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink for analysis, documentation, or prototyping.
• Understanding of embedded systems and avionics interfaces (CAN, UART, TCP/UDP, serial).
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and support hardware/software integration.
• Good understanding of embedded systems and software development practices, with demonstrated ability to solve technical problems with little supervision.
• Strong understanding of aircraft dynamics, stability & control, and flight performance principles.
• Skilled in data analysis, simulation, and model correlation using real flight data.
• Excellent ability to translate flight observations into actionable control system improvements.
• Strong communication and documentation skills for technical and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Microsoft Visual Studio Compilers, Debuggers Source control Git or GitLab.

Travel Required

10% Domestic and International

Citizenship

Must be a US Person under ITAR definition (For example, a U.S. Citizen, green card holder or person covered under our existing ITAR license)

Physical Requirements

• Onsite or remote: 95% Onsite in Bingen, WA
• Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings daily.
• Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms daily.
• Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications daily.
• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts daily.
• Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs daily.
• Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs daily.
• Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools daily.
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer daily.
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor daily.
• Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice several times a month.
• Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces daily.
• Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site Administrative position only PPE required: Steel‑toed shoes are required for all shop floor visits, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.

Salary range

Salary range based on the required profile: $147k to $236K /year. Actual minimum and maximum may vary based on geographic differential. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Prescription insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Basic & Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
• Short and Long-term Disability insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off including paid holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Bonus(es) subject to performance criteria

Company

Aerovel Corporation Employment Type: US - Direct Hire Experience Level: Professional Remote Type: On-site Job Family: Vehicle Mission & Control

Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail]. Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel‑efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world's leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.