Sr. Principal - GNC Engineer

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

Worker Type Regular Job Description We are searching for a talented Sr. Principal. Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer to play a critical role in developing next-generation unmanned air vehicles and robotic systems. As a key member of our innovative team, you will help architect flight algorithms, conduct advanced flight testing, and integrate cutting-edge technologies into real-world solutions. This role encompasses a multi-disciplinary background to include GN&C (60%), flight testing (20%), PCB Design (5%), Software (5%) and other projects (10%). This role helps lead development of technical proposals and project estimates, drives technical and engineering conflicts to resolution and ensures the engineering needs of their assigned product development projects are met. As an expert in the field, one uses professional concepts in developing resolution to critical issues and broad design matters.

Position Responsibilities

• Appropriate engineering resources (personnel, equipment, etc.) are identified.
• Product designs meet technical, performance, and quality requirements.
• System Architecture is defined and flowed down to design teams.
• Project technical progress is tracked and communicated to assess project performance.
• Partners with senior leadership, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and other groups in setting priorities, establishing strategic plans, and addressing issues that cross departmental boundaries.
• Oversees the design, development and validation of the flight control system for current and new products.
• Oversees system interfaces, test and flight test activities from subscale to full scale within perimeter.
• Implements designed flight control algorithms on to the aircraft flight control system hardware.
• Oversees preparation and execution of the validation of the flight control system including analysis (SIL/HIL/iron bird).
• Manages and ensures proper integration and validation of the flight control system together with the avionic system.
• Provides mentorship and transfer of knowledge to fellow engineers.
• Ensures risks/issues/opportunities are communicated to affected stakeholders.
• Works on issues that impact design/selling success and addresses future concepts, products or technologies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Advanced degree in a related engineering discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• 15+ years' of combined experience in aircraft design and/or project management, GN&C, flight testing, systems engineering and program management.
• Demonstrated hands‑on attitude with a broad range of development experience.
• Has a comprehensive knowledge of engineering disciplines and prior experience leading the development of many of these systems for manned or unmanned air vehicles: Autopilot hardware and software; Flight control hardware and software; Part 23 & part 27 aircraft certification; Ground control communications hardware and software; Ground control support equipment; Air vehicle subsystems integration & test; Air vehicle systems communications hardware and software; High voltage electrical power systems.
• Travel within the continental U.S. is required to support flight test operations (up to 20%).

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• PhD is preferred.
• Demonstrates knowledge of office software and computer based productivity tools.
• Demonstrates expertise in engineering processes and design tools.
• Expertise in appropriate design and simulation tools and validation techniques.
• Demonstrates strong communication (verbal & written), presentation and collaboration skills.
• Is a proven leader who has demonstrated people development and leadership skills.
• Able to excel in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties.
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
• Works well across disciplines.
• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests.

Physical Demands

Ability to work in an office and R&D 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 Level

No Clearance

Salary

The salary range for this role is: $154,500 - $247,250

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.

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.

ITAR U.S. Citizenship required.

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.