Senior Manager-GNC Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Moorpark (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Manager in Guidance, Navigation and Control to lead a GN&C engineering team on unmanned aircraft programs. You will drive the technology roadmap, manage budgets and personnel, and oversee full lifecycle GN&C subsystems from design to deployment.

The role requires deep experience in model-based control, linearization of flight dynamics, and advanced simulation tools. Strong communication, leadership, and collaboration across functions are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Combination of 15 years industry/managerial experience in GN&C and adjacent fields.
• Proficient with developing linearized models from nonlinear flight dynamics models about trim operating conditions.
• Proficient with linear controls design and analysis tools and techniques.
• Experience with aerodynamic stability and control modes, models, concepts, and coefficients.
• Experience in designing, developing, and analyzing aided inertial navigation systems.
• Demonstrated strong skills in classical and modern controls design and analysis approaches.
• Proficient in C++ and object-oriented design.

Responsibilities

• Manages a group of GN&C engineering professionals, including budget planning, staffing, training, performance evaluation and career development.
• Responsible for managing team in the full life-cycle of GN&C subsystems including design, development, coding, debugging, testing, simulation, analysis, and maintenance.
• Analyze systems and flight test data to support model improvements and root cause investigation of failures and anomalies.
• Plans workload for GN&C engineer design activities and documents designs with reports, presentations and drawings.
• Characterize, analyze, test, and troubleshoot control system hardware and software subsystems.
• Architect reusable simulation and analysis tools for model-based control and estimation designs.

Skills

C++

Control systems design

Model-based design

Monte Carlo

6DOF simulation

Hardware-in-the-loop

RTOS familiarity

GN&C

GNC engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's or PhD GN&C focus preferred

Tools

Simulation tools

Job description

Worker TypeRegularJob DescriptionSummaryThe Sr. Manager, Guidance, Navigation and Control is an experienced individual within the GNC, technology or related industry with extensive knowledge performing their function in a fast-paced organization. As a member of the Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System’s Engineering management team, one participates in executing the overall strategic technology roadmap that will drive the business growth in a very competitive market space. Responsible for building a functional organization that has the capabilities and capacities to meet the business needs. Manages the design and development of new Unmanned Aircraft System products as well as product changes and enhancementsPosition ResponsibilitiesManages a group of GNC engineering professionals, including budget planning, staffing, training, performance evaluation and career developmentResponsible for managing team in the full life-cycle of GN&C subsystems (Guidance, Navigation & Control) including design, development, coding, debugging, testing, simulation, analysis, and maintenanceAnalyze systems and flight test data to support model improvements and root cause investigation of failures and anomaliesResponsible for managing resources to meet project demands. Plans workload for GNC engineer design activitiesDocument designs and analyses with written reports, presentations, and Engineering drawingsCharacterize, analyze, test, and troubleshoot control system hardware and software subsystemsArchitect and develop comprehensive, reusable simulation and analysis tools for model-based control and estimation designs. Architect comprehensive GN&C systems with focus on reuse of qualified design and analysis elementsLead GN&C-related design requirements development and architecture/design reviewsProvides technical expertise and guidance to team to meet applicable deadlinesFrequently interacts with subordinate supervisors, customers and/or functional peer group managers, normally involving matters between functional areasOther duties as assignedBasic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)Bachelor's degree in an Engineering Field is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experienceCombination of 15 years industry/managerial experience in a progressive technical capacity in GN&C and adjacent fieldsProficient with developing linearized models from nonlinear flight dynamics models about trim operating conditionsProficient with linear controls design and analysis tools and techniquesExperience with aerodynamic stability and control modes, models, concepts, and coefficientsExperience in designing, developing, and analyzing aided inertial navigation systemsDemonstrated strong skills in classical and modern controls design and analysis approachesExperience designing Monte Carlo, hardware-in-the-loop, and/or 6DOF simulation environmentsExpert knowledge of appropriate design, analysis and simulation tools and validation techniquesProficient in C++; Demonstrated understanding and competence in object-oriented designOther Qualifications & Desired CompetenciesMaster's or PhD with GN&C-related focus is preferredFamiliarity with real-time operating systems a plusMaintains a high level of customer satisfaction with both internal and external customersUtilize modeling based design and promote the culture of design for manufacturingDemonstrates clear oral communication and well-organized documentation skillsUses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstancesInspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employeesBrings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness and the creation of a shared visionChampions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of changeDemonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationshipsAssesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunityPhysical DemandsAbility to work in an office and production environment (Constant)Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)Clearance LevelNo ClearanceThe salary range for this role is:$141,000 - $215,000AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.ITAR Requirement:This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.About AV:AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.ITARU.S. Citizenship required