Senior Flight Software Engineer

Arxlight Pictures; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Arxlight in Oakland seeks a GNC Engineer to design, develop, and implement algorithms for UAV flight control, estimation, and guidance across flight regimes.

You will bridge flight physics and software, enabling stability and performance from software to hardware in HITL setups.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s/PhD in a controls-focused field with 5–10 years in aerospace controls, and strong Python/MATLAB plus C++ experience for flight software.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in relevant field with 5–10 years of experience.
• Deep understanding of control theory, stability, and robust design.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and C++ for flight software.

Responsibilities

• Flight Dynamics Modeling: develop high-fidelity 6-DOF simulations.
• Control Law Design: tune and analyze PID, LQR/LQG, state-space methods.
• Navigation & Estimation: implement sensor fusion (IMU, GPS, star tracker).
• Guidance Algorithms: trajectory generation and path planning for autonomous missions.
• Performance Analysis: Monte Carlo simulations and stability margins.

Skills

Control theory

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

C++

MIMO/SISO

Lyapunov stability

Quaternions / Euler angles

Education

Master’s or PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering (Controls focus)

Tools

JSBSim

Gazebo

Open-source autopilot

Job description

Company Overview
We are a rapidly growing technology startup focused on delivering next-generation drones for security and safety applications. Our company vertically integrates hardware and software to create leading edge capabilities in the UAV space, with a focus on saving lives.

As a GNC Engineer, you will be joining the team responsible for the design, development, and implementation of algorithms that allow our vehicles to navigate complex environments and execute precise maneuvers. You will bridge the gap between theoretical flight physics and real-world software implementation, ensuring stability and performance across all flight regimes.

Key Responsibilities

• Flight Dynamics Modeling: Develop high-fidelity 6-DOF (Degrees of Freedom) simulations to predict vehicle behavior.

• Control Law Design: Design, tune, and analyze flight control laws using both Classical (PID, Root Locus, Bode) and Modern (LQR/LQG, H-infinity, State-Space) techniques.

• Navigation & Estimation: Implement sensor fusion algorithms (e.g., Extended Kalman Filters) to provide accurate state estimates from IMU, GPS, and star tracker data.

• Guidance Algorithms: Develop trajectory generation and path-planning logic for autonomous mission phases.

• Performance Analysis: Conduct Monte Carlo simulations and Linear Stability Analysis (Gain/Phase margins) to ensure system robustness.

• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL): Support the integration of GNC software with flight hardware and sensors.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s or PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering (with a focus on Controls) and 5-10 YOE

• Control Theory Mastery: Deep understanding of MIMO/SISO systems, frequency domain analysis, and Lyapunov stability.

• Programming: Proficiency in Python or MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and C++ for flight software implementation.

• Mathematics: Strong foundation in linear algebra, coordinate transformations (Quaternions, Euler angles), and orbital mechanics or aerodynamics.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with simulation tools (JSBSim, Gazebo, etc)

• Hands on experience with open-source autopilot

• Experience with radar and rocket systems

• Understanding of rocket GNC, aerodynamics, flight dynamics and controls

Understanding of computer vision, perception, filtering, and estimation