ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Engineer Autonomous Flight Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Merlin Labs

Flight Dynamics Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

The Merlin Pilot autonomy system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles and has ... We are seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer to develop and integrate aircraft models within our ...

Merlin Labs, Inc.

The Merlin Pilot autonomy system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles and has ... We are seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer to develop and integrate aircraft models within our ...

Merlin Labs, Inc.

Flight Dynamics Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

The Merlin Pilot autonomy system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles and has ... We are seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer to develop and integrate aircraft models within our ...

Merlin Labs

The Merlin Pilot autonomy system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles and has ... We are seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer to develop and integrate aircraft models within our ...

Peregrine Industries, Inc.

S.-made autonomous systems for tactical strike, counter-UAS, training, and defense modernization ... About the Role We are seeking a hands-on Flight Test Engineer to own the airworthiness, quality ...

New

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsTravel JobsAviation JobsAerospace Engineer JobsEngineer Autonomous Flight Jobs

Engineer Autonomous Flight information

See salary details

$42K

$108.6K

$165K

How much do engineer autonomous flight jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineer autonomous flight in the United States is $108,638.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an engineer autonomous flight do?

An Engineer Autonomous Flight designs, develops, and tests systems that enable aircraft, such as drones or advanced air vehicles, to fly without direct human control. They focus on creating algorithms, integrating sensors, and ensuring the aircraft can navigate, avoid obstacles, and complete missions safely and efficiently. Their work involves collaboration with hardware and software teams, as well as staying updated on aviation regulations and safety standards. This role is crucial for advancing technologies like delivery drones, urban air mobility, and unmanned aerial vehicles used in various industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an engineer autonomous flight, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Engineer Autonomous Flight, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, robotics, control systems, and programming, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation software (such as MATLAB/Simulink), autopilot systems, sensor integration, and certifications in UAV technologies are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective teamwork, and clear communication set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing safe, reliable, and innovative autonomous flight systems that meet industry standards and operational requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by an engineer autonomous flight, and how can they be addressed?

Engineers in Autonomous Flight often encounter challenges related to integrating complex software and hardware systems, ensuring reliability and safety in unpredictable environments, and meeting rigorous regulatory standards. Addressing these issues requires strong collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including software developers, hardware engineers, and regulatory specialists. Staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, sensor technology, and aviation regulations also helps engineers anticipate and solve emerging problems efficiently.

What is the difference between Engineer Autonomous Flight vs Engineer Drone Systems?

AspectEngineer Autonomous FlightEngineer Drone Systems
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in aerospace, robotics, or related fields; certifications in UAV or autonomous systemsBachelor's or higher in electrical, mechanical, or aerospace engineering; certifications in drone technology
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, aerospace companies, autonomous vehicle development centersDrone manufacturing, testing facilities, field operations
Industry UsageDesigning and developing autonomous flight algorithms and systemsDeveloping drone hardware, software, and operational systems

Both roles involve working with unmanned systems, but Engineer Autonomous Flight focuses on creating autonomous flight capabilities and algorithms, while Engineer Drone Systems emphasizes hardware and software development for drones. The roles often overlap but differ mainly in scope and focus within the UAV industry.

What are popular job titles related to Engineer Autonomous Flight jobs?

For Engineer Autonomous Flight jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Engineer Autonomous Flight job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Range Safety and Flight Termination Engineer

Huntsville, AL

Chenega Corporation
IT Services • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about Chenega Corporationexternal

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Serve as Range Safety expert during flight tests, Range Safety Working Groups, and flight termination testing.

  • Provide oversight of requirements development, allocation, and verification for target system flight termination systems, including autonomous systems.

  • Conduct technical surveillance of FTS hardware and software development, qualification, acceptance, integration, and checkout.

Job description

Summary

Range Safety & Flight Termination Engineer

Redstone Arsenal, AL 

Are you ready to enhance your skills and build your career in a rapidly evolving business climate? Are you looking for a career where professional development is embedded in your employer’s core culture? If so, Chenega Military, Intelligence & Operations Support (MIOS) could be the place for you! Join our team of professionals who support large-scale government operations by leveraging cutting-edge technology and take your career to the next level!

Our Strength Is Our People 

We believe taking care of our employees will deliver the best support to our customers and our community. Our success is attributable to our employees. We recruit and retain civic-minded people who fit our family-oriented small business culture. 

Valued people deliver the highest level of professionalism and support to our customers. We provide our employees with a positive work environment and social activities that reinforce teamwork. 

Venturi, LLC, a Chenega Company, has an exciting career opportunity for a Range Safety & Flight Termination Engineer who will support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Targets and Countermeasures Engineering Directorate. This individual will provide critical engineering expertise for the flight termination systems (FTS) used across launch and reentry vehicles.


Responsibilities
  • Serve as Range Safety expert on behalf of the Targets Program office during flight tests, Range Safety Working Groups, and flight termination testing.
  • Provide oversight of requirements development, allocation, and verification for target system FTS products, including autonomous flight termination systems.
  • Conduct technical surveillance across FTS hardware and software development, qualification, acceptance, integration, and final checkout.
  • Author technical reports detailing system status, analytical findings, and formal recommendations.
  • Represent government stakeholder interests in technical working groups, customer forums, and formal design reviews.
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications
  • Master’s degree with 12+ years of experience OR
  • Bachelor’s degree with 20+ years of experience, supporting missile defense or large-scale, complex DoD programs.
    • Demonstrated background in flight termination systems and ordnance systems.
  • Active DoD Secret clearance
  • Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Direct experience with Autonomous Flight Termination Systems (AFTS)
  • Hands-on flight test operations experience
  • Technical background in RF systems, antennas, batteries, and ordnance devices
  • 10 + years of experience in defense and aerospace

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Proficient in in-flight safety analysis products, specifically RCC-319 (Flight Termination Commonality Standard) and RCC-324 (Range Safety Tracking Systems Commonality Standard).
  • Working knowledge of range tracking architectures, including GPS, Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), and C-band tracking
  • Strong written and verbal briefing skills; willingness and ability to travel for mission deployments.

How you’ll grow 

At Chenega MIOS, our professional development plan focuses on helping our team members at every level of their careers to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there’s always room to learn. 

We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands-on experience in the global, fast-changing business world. From on-the-job learning experiences to formal development programs, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their careers. 

Benefits 

At Chenega MIOS, we know that great people make a great organization. We value our team members and offer them a broad range of benefits. 

Learn more about what working at Chenega MIOS can mean for you. 

Chenega MIOS’s culture 

Our positive and supportive culture encourages our team members to do their best work every day. We celebrate individuals by recognizing their uniqueness and offering them the flexibility to make daily choices that can help them be healthy, centered, confident, and aware. We offer well-being programs and continuously look for new ways to maintain a culture where we excel and lead healthy, happy lives. 

Corporate citizenship 

Chenega MIOS is led by a purpose to make an impact that matters. This purpose defines who we are and extends to relationships with our clients, our team members, and our communities. We believe that business has the power to inspire and transform. We focus on education, giving, skill-based volunteerism, and leadership to help drive positive social impact in our communities. 

Learn more about Chenega’s impact on the world. 

Chenega MIOS News- https://chenegamios.com/news/ 

Tips from your Talent Acquisition Team 

We want job seekers exploring opportunities at Chenega MIOS to feel prepared and confident. To help you with your research, we suggest you review the following links: 

Chenega MIOS web site - www.chenegamios.com 

Glassdoor - https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Chenega-MIOS-EI_IE369514.11,23.htm 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/1472684/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/chenegamios/ 

#Venturi, LLC

Qualifications:
  • Master’s degree with 12+ years of experience OR
  • Bachelor’s degree with 20+ years of experience, supporting missile defense or large-scale, complex DoD programs.
    • Demonstrated background in flight termination systems and ordnance systems.
  • Active DoD Secret clearance
  • Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Direct experience with Autonomous Flight Termination Systems (AFTS)
  • Hands-on flight test operations experience
  • Technical background in RF systems, antennas, batteries, and ordnance devices
  • 10 + years of experience in defense and aerospace

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Proficient in in-flight safety analysis products, specifically RCC-319 (Flight Termination Commonality Standard) and RCC-324 (Range Safety Tracking Systems Commonality Standard).
  • Working knowledge of range tracking architectures, including GPS, Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), and C-band tracking
  • Strong written and verbal briefing skills; willingness and ability to travel for mission deployments.

How you’ll grow 

At Chenega MIOS, our professional development plan focuses on helping our team members at every level of their careers to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there’s always room to learn. 

We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands-on experience in the global, fast-changing business world. From on-the-job learning experiences to formal development programs, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their careers. 

Benefits 

At Chenega MIOS, we know that great people make a great organization. We value our team members and offer them a broad range of benefits. 

Learn more about what working at Chenega MIOS can mean for you. 

Chenega MIOS’s culture 

Our positive and supportive culture encourages our team members to do their best work every day. We celebrate individuals by recognizing their uniqueness and offering them the flexibility to make daily choices that can help them be healthy, centered, confident, and aware. We offer well-being programs and continuously look for new ways to maintain a culture where we excel and lead healthy, happy lives. 

Corporate citizenship 

Chenega MIOS is led by a purpose to make an impact that matters. This purpose defines who we are and extends to relationships with our clients, our team members, and our communities. We believe that business has the power to inspire and transform. We focus on education, giving, skill-based volunteerism, and leadership to help drive positive social impact in our communities. 

Learn more about Chenega’s impact on the world. 

Chenega MIOS News- https://chenegamios.com/news/ 

Tips from your Talent Acquisition Team 

We want job seekers exploring opportunities at Chenega MIOS to feel prepared and confident. To help you with your research, we suggest you review the following links: 

Chenega MIOS web site - www.chenegamios.com 

Glassdoor - https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Chenega-MIOS-EI_IE369514.11,23.htm 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/1472684/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/chenegamios/ 

#Venturi, LLC

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

Apply