Sr. Staff Engineer, GNC - BlueSky (R5798)

Shieldai; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI in the United States is seeking a Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer to advance flight control algorithms for high-performance autonomous aircraft. You will work on an agile team grounded in first principles to push the state-of-the-art.

You will apply controls theory, model-based design, and real-world testing to improve vehicle dynamics, stability, and responsiveness while collaborating across engineering disciplines and maintaining security-clearance readiness.

Qualifications

• BS in relevant engineering with a focus on control systems.
• 7+ years with degree; or 6 years with MS; or 4 years with PhD in vehicle dynamics, flight controls, or simulation.
• Experience with C++ in production environment.
• Experience with Matlab and Simulink.
• Expert knowledge of aircraft dynamics, control, stability, and handling qualities.
• Experience tuning and optimizing control systems in simulation and real-world.
• Strong communication, trustworthy teammate, and collaborative mindset.
• Ability to obtain SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Research and develop state-of-the-art GNC algorithms for high-performance flight.
• Work on an agile team grounded in first principles to push the boundaries.
• Translate control theory to flight hardware/software and test for real-world scenarios.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines and maintain security-minded practices.

Skills

C++

Matlab/Simulink

Flight Controls

Aircraft Dynamics

Control Systems Tuning

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Aeronautical/Mechanical/Electrical or Software Engineering (Control Systems focus)

MS or PhD preferred in related field

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Simulink Modeling

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BATaircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

The Guidance Navigation Control engineering team focuses on researching and developing state-of-the-art algorithms that drive high-performance flight for a blue-sky project.. As a GNC Engineer on this team, you’ll work on an agile team grounded in first principles to push the boundaries of the state-of-the-art.

Required Qualifications:

• BS in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering with a focus on Control Systems
• Minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience in the area of vehicle dynamics modeling, flight controls, or simulation.
• Experience with C++ in a production environment
• Experience with Matlab and Simulink
• Expert knowledge of aircraft dynamics and control, stability, and handling qualities
• Experience tuning and optimizing control systems in simulation and real-world
• Passion for solving complex problems in a fast-moving environment
• Demonstrated record of working hard, strong communication skills, being a trustworthy teammate, and being kind to others
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS or PhD in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering with a focus on Control Systems
• Experience with Modern Control Theory, e.g. LQR/LQG, Adaptive Control, Robust Control, Model Predictive Control (MPC), etc.
• Proficient with extracting linear aircraft state space models from nonlinear equations of motion
• Proficient with design or selection of servos, inertial navigation systems, air data units, vision-based navigation systems
• Familiarity with Kalman Filters
• Familiarity with system identification techniques
• Familiarity with git, continuous integration & delivery, etc.

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.