Senior Flight Software / GNC Engineer

Arxlight; Town of Oakland (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Arxlight in Wisconsin is seeking a GNC Engineer to design and implement algorithms for drone navigation, stability, and precise maneuvers. You will bridge flight physics and software, ensuring robust performance across flight regimes.

Responsibilities include 6-DOF simulations, PID to LQR control design, sensor fusion with EKF, trajectory generation, and HITL with flight hardware.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Eng with a controls focus.
• 5-10 years of experience in GNC, flight dynamics, and controls.
• Strong knowledge of MIMO/SISO, frequency-domain analysis, Lyapunov stability.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB/Simulink and C++ for flight software.

Responsibilities

• Flight dynamics modeling with high-fidelity 6-DOF simulations.
• Design, tune, and analyze flight control laws (PID, LQR, etc).
• Navigation & estimation using sensor fusion (EKF with IMU, GPS, star tracker).
• Guidance algorithms for trajectory generation and path planning.
• Performance analysis with Monte Carlo and stability margins.
• Hardware-in-the-Loop support for GNC integration with flight hardware.

Skills

Flight dynamics

Control theory

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

C++

Linear algebra

State estimation

Education

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

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