Senior Flight Dynamics & Avionics Engineer

Airbus; Hood River (OR); On-site; USD 147,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Incentive compensation

401(k)

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Airbus is seeking a Senior Flight Dynamics & Avionics Engineer in Bingen, WA, or Grand Prairie, TX. This role involves bridging aerodynamics and software to ensure safe UAV operations.

The ideal candidate has over 10 years of engineering experience, strong skills in flight mechanics, and proficiency in C/C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in aerospace, UAV, or flight control engineering.
• 5+ years hands-on experience with flight data analysis and performance validation.
• Experience tuning or analyzing flight control and navigation algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and model UAV flight mechanics.
• Evaluate flight performance metrics.
• Produce and maintain detailed technical documentation.

Skills

Flight mechanics

Aerodynamics

Aircraft performance analysis

C/C++

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

Problem-solving

Documentation skills

Education

BS in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Control Systems Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Visual Studio

Git

Embedded systems

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Flight Dynamics & Avionics Engineer to serve as a hands‑on technical authority for our advanced UAV platforms in Bingen, WA or as part of our Engineering team in Grand Prairie, TX. The role bridges aerodynamics, embedded software, and real flight behavior to ensure our aircraft operate safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Working Environment

The Bingen, WA site is located in the Columbia River Gorge and offers flexibility and an innovative culture. Candidates from the DFW area will be expected to travel extensively to Bingen during the first 90 days.

Benefits

Competitive base salary, incentive compensation, retirement savings plan, ESOP participation, paid time off, parental leave, comprehensive health, vision, dental, life, disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, Health Savings Accounts, 401(k), tuition assistance.

Responsibilities

• 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.
  • 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.

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Control Systems Engineering.
• 10+ years in aerospace, UAV, or flight control engineering.
• 5+ years hands‑on experience with flight data analysis and performance validation.
• Strong background in flight mechanics, aerodynamics, and aircraft performance analysis.
• Experience tuning or analyzing flight control and navigation algorithms.
• Familiarity with C/C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink.
• Understanding of embedded systems and avionics interfaces (CAN, UART, TCP/UDP, serial).
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and support hardware/software integration.
• Independent problem‑solving ability and strong communication/documentation skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Visual Studio, compilers, debuggers, source control, and Git or GitLab.

Travel

10% domestic and international travel.

Citizenship

Must be a U.S. person under the ITAR definition (e.g., U.S. citizen, green card holder, or person covered under our existing ITAR license).

Physical Requirements

• Onsite in Bingen, WA 95% of the time.
• Vision, hearing, speaking ability to read, communicate and participate daily.
• Operation and light fixtures including computer, telephone, copy machine.
• Carry up to 30 lbs daily; lift and push/pull small equipment.
• Stand, sit, walk, squat, kneel as needed; travel independently.
• PPE as required: safety shoes, glasses, hearing protection, respirator, gloves.

Salary

Salary range based on the required profile: $147 k to $236 k per year. Actual minimum and maximum may vary based on geographic differential. Pay determined by skills, experience and other relevant factors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.