Flight Controls Engineer

Job Title: Controls Engineer – UAV Flight Dynamics and GNC

Job Description

This role focuses on understanding, explaining, and improving the behavior of unmanned aircraft by analyzing real flight data, refining flight dynamics and control models, and driving concrete changes to the control and navigation systems. You will serve as the go-to expert when the aircraft does not behave as expected, helping the team interpret flight data, distinguish between modeling, tuning, and system issues, and make informed, safe decisions about aircraft behavior and performance. This is a hands-on position at the intersection of flight dynamics, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), software, and avionics, with strong potential for long-term growth in a rapidly expanding area of unmanned helicopters.

Responsibilities

• Analyze real flight data and compare it to flight models to understand and explain why the aircraft behaved the way it did, whether performance was nominal or anomalous.
• Correlate flight test data with aerodynamic and performance models to validate system behavior and identify discrepancies.
• Analyze and model UAV flight mechanics, including aerodynamic forces, stability, and control response.
• Evaluate and refine flight performance metrics such as endurance, climb rate, turn capability, and control authority.
• Support flight envelope expansion, ensuring the aircraft operates safely within aerodynamic and structural limits.
• Contribute to defining and verifying performance requirements and mission-level objectives for unmanned aircraft systems.
• Support flight testing as required, including pre-flight preparation, data collection, and post-flight analysis.
• Review, document, and tune existing control and navigation algorithms for attitude, position, and mission control.
• Analyze control law performance under various flight conditions and refine parameters to improve stability, responsiveness, and robustness.
• Investigate and explain observed flight behaviors through theoretical and numerical analysis, clearly distinguishing between modeling, tuning, and system-level issues.
• Support estimation and sensor fusion performance assessment for IMU, GPS, air data, magnetometers, and other sensors.
• Collaborate closely with software and flight test teams to ensure accurate implementation, verification, and documentation of GNC logic.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the autopilot and flight control software architecture, including embedded systems, control laws, and aircraft-level integration.
• Interpret and document algorithmic flow and software–hardware interactions within the flight control and avionics systems.
• Collaborate with embedded engineers to ensure correct integration, calibration, and verification of control laws.
• Occasionally implement or prototype algorithm modifications and diagnostic tools using C/C , Python, or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Interpret electrical wiring diagrams and avionics schematics to understand system interfaces, dependencies, and potential failure modes.
• Support system integration and troubleshooting activities related to sensors, flight computers, actuators, and other avionics components.
• Participate in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and bench-level testing to validate overall flight system behavior.
• Produce and maintain detailed technical documentation, including algorithm descriptions, test procedures, performance reports, and data analysis summaries.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of simulation models, data processing workflows, and analysis tools.
• Stay current with advances in UAV flight dynamics, GNC theory, and aeronautical system modeling, and apply new insights to ongoing projects.
• Mentor junior engineers on principles of flight mechanics, stability, control system design, and best practices in data-driven analysis.
• Travel as needed to support flight tests, including on-site test execution and real-time data review.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Control Systems Engineering.
• 10 years of experience in aerospace, UAV, or flight control engineering.
• 5 years of hands-on experience with flight data analysis and performance validation.
• Strong experience in flight mechanics, aerodynamics, and aircraft performance analysis.
• Demonstrated experience tuning or analyzing flight control and navigation algorithms.
• Skilled in flight dynamics, guidance, flight control, navigation, and flight test for UAV or UAS platforms.
• Proficiency with C and C for analysis, prototyping, or diagnostic tooling.
• Proficiency with Python for data analysis, scripting, and automation.
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink for modeling, simulation, and control system analysis.
• Good understanding of embedded systems and software development practices.
• Understanding of avionics interfaces such as CAN, UART, serial, and TCP/UDP.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and avionics system layouts.
• Experience supporting hardware and software integration for sensors, flight computers, and actuators.
• Strong understanding of aircraft dynamics, stability and control, and flight performance principles.
• Demonstrated skill in data analysis, simulation, and correlation of models with real flight data.
• Ability to translate flight observations into actionable control system improvements.
• Strong communication and documentation skills for effective technical and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Self-driven and detail-oriented approach with a strong interest in flight systems understanding and continuous improvement.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for flight tests.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with autopilot frameworks such as PX4, ArduPilot, or other proprietary systems.
• Exposure to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments and safety-critical systems.
• Experience with software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing for flight control and GNC algorithms.
• Knowledge of aerospace software certification standards such as DO-178C.
• Hands-on experience in UAV flight testing and post-processing of flight data.
• Familiarity with Ground Control Station (GCS) software and simulation environments.
• Experience in control system design for UAVs or other aerospace platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a subject-matter expert when aircraft behavior deviates from expectations and to guide teams in interpreting complex flight data.
• Interest in pioneering work in unmanned helicopters and contributing to a major growth area in the industry.

Work Environment

The role begins with a strong on-site presence to immerse you in the aircraft, test infrastructure, and cross-functional teams, then transitions to a hybrid arrangement with on-site work as needed to support integration and flight testing. You will work closely with flight dynamics, GNC, software, avionics, and test engineers in a collaborative environment focused on innovation in unmanned helicopters. The work involves direct interaction with UAVs, avionics hardware, embedded systems, and test equipment, as well as extensive use of software tools such as C/C , Python, MATLAB/Simulink, autopilot frameworks (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot), HIL and SIL test benches, and Ground Control Station software. The environment supports hands-on flight testing, rigorous data analysis, and continuous improvement of models and control algorithms, offering a dynamic setting with meaningful opportunities for long-term growth and potential conversion to a full-time role.

This is a Contract position based out of Bingen, WA.

The pay range for this position is $69.00 - $84.13/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Bingen,WA.

This position is anticipated to close on May 8, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000 extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

Salary : $69 - $84