Senior Principal GNC Engineer: Flight Systems Architect

AeroVironment, Inc.; Virginia Colony (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 247,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Sr. Principal Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer to shape the flight control architecture for unmanned air vehicles and robotic systems.

You will architect algorithms, conduct flight tests, and integrate cutting‑edge tech across multi‑discipline teams. The role emphasizes leadership, project oversight, and collaboration with senior stakeholders to meet ambitious performance and safety goals, including hands‑on tool use and rigorous validation across

Qualifications

• 15+ years' combined experience in aircraft design and/or project management, GN&C, flight testing, systems engineering and program management.
• PhD is preferred.
• Advanced degree in a related engineering discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Responsibilities

• Identify appropriate engineering resources (personnel, equipment, etc.).
• Ensure product designs meet technical, performance, and quality requirements.
• Define system architecture and flow down to design teams.
• Track and communicate project technical progress.
• Partner with senior leadership across functions to set priorities and plans.
• Oversee design, development and validation of the flight control system for current and new products.
• Oversee system interfaces, test and flight test activities from subscale to full scale.
• Ensure integration of flight control with avionic systems.
• Mentor and transfer knowledge to engineers.
• Communicate risks, issues and opportunities to stakeholders.

Skills

GN&C

Flight testing

Systems engineering

Project management

Leadership

Education

Advanced degree in engineering

Tools

Flight control hardware

Flight control software

Autopilot systems

Job description

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Sr. Principal Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer to shape the flight control architecture for unmanned air vehicles and robotic systems.

You will architect algorithms, conduct flight tests, and integrate cutting‑edge tech across multi‑discipline teams. The role emphasizes leadership, project oversight, and collaboration with senior stakeholders to meet ambitious performance and safety goals, including hands‑on tool use and rigorous validation across