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Flight Control Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Hermeus

Flight Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$105K - $125K/yr

Develop and maintain embedded flight software for our aircraft systems, including flight control, navigation, communication, and avionics systems. * Collaborate with hardware engineers to ensure ...

Hermeus

Flight Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

Develop and maintain embedded flight software for our aircraft systems, including flight control, navigation, communication, and avionics systems.  * Collaborate with hardware engineers to ensure ...

Reliable Robotics

Sr. Flight Test Engineer

San Martin, CA · On-site

$190K - $260K/yr

We are a team of mission-driven engineers with experience across aerospace, robotics and self ... The team regularly ensures the proper function of mechanical, electrical, and flight control ...

Neros Technologies

Flight Software Manager

Torrance, CA · On-site

$225K - $265K/yr

We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership ... Hands-on depth in flight-control / avionics software, or closely adjacent real-time control systems

Anduril Industries

Flight Sciences Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

The guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) team within TRS performs implementation, analysis, test ... PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field * Experience with flight ...

Elroy Air

Flight Test Engineer

Byron, CA

The Flight Test Engineer at Elroy Air will drive the development and certification of Chaparral ... Conduct flight tests for autonomous systems including navigation, control, cargo handling, and ...

Elroy Air

Flight Test Engineer

Byron, CA

$123K - $187K/yr

The Flight Test Engineer at Elroy Air will drive the development and certification of Chaparral ... Conduct flight tests for autonomous systems including navigation, control, cargo handling, and ...

Elroy Air

Flight Test Engineer

Byron, CA · On-site

$123K - $187K/yr

The Flight Test Engineer at Elroy Air will drive the development and certification of Chaparral ... Conduct flight tests for autonomous systems including navigation, control, cargo handling, and ...

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Flight Control Engineer information

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$81

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How much do flight control engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight control engineer in California is $81.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76.39 and $89.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Flight Control Engineers when integrating new technologies into existing aircraft systems?

Flight Control Engineers often encounter challenges when incorporating new technologies into established aircraft systems, such as ensuring compatibility with legacy hardware and software, maintaining compliance with strict aviation safety regulations, and minimizing disruptions to current flight operations. These engineers must work closely with multidisciplinary teams—including software developers, avionics specialists, and certification authorities—to troubleshoot issues and validate system performance through rigorous testing and simulation. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong communication skills, adaptability, and a deep understanding of both modern and traditional flight control architectures.

What are Flight Control Engineers?

Flight Control Engineers are professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain the flight control systems in aircraft and spacecraft. These systems include the hardware and software that allow pilots or automated systems to control the movement and stability of the vehicle during flight. Flight Control Engineers work closely with other aerospace engineers to ensure that these systems are safe, reliable, and meet regulatory standards. Their work is crucial for both manned and unmanned vehicles, including commercial airplanes, military jets, and drones.

What is the difference between Flight Control Engineer vs Flight Test Engineer?

AspectFlight Control EngineerFlight Test Engineer
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in avionics or control systemsEngineering degree, certifications in testing or aerospace engineering
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and analyze flight control systems in labs and aircraftPlan, execute, and analyze flight test missions
Employer & IndustryAerospace companies, aircraft manufacturersAerospace testing organizations, aircraft manufacturers

Flight Control Engineers focus on designing and improving aircraft control systems, while Flight Test Engineers conduct flight tests to validate these systems. Both roles require aerospace engineering backgrounds and collaborate closely during aircraft development. The main difference lies in their focus: design versus testing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Flight Control Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flight Control Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, control systems theory, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink, programming languages such as C/C++, and knowledge of FAA regulations or DO-178C certification are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication set candidates apart in collaborative, high-stakes environments. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of aircraft flight control systems.
What are popular job titles related to Flight Control Engineer jobs in California? For Flight Control Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Flight Control Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Control Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Flight Control Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Flight Control Engineer job openings:
Flight Control Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Control Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 13% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $168,811 per year, or $81.2 per hour.
Senior GNC Engineer - Flight Controls & Autonomy

Senior GNC Engineer - Flight Controls & Autonomy

Hermeus

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$150K - $204K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping to build the fastest aircraft in the world today. By prioritizing relentless hardware iteration, we deliver high-speed systems at the pace of the modern battlefield. We work with the Department of War to provide the high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies need to maintain a durable, asymmetric advantage.
About The Role:
As a Senior GNC Engineer at Hermeus, you will help develop and deploy the flight control, navigation, and autonomy systems that enable our aircraft to fly safely and perform reliably in demanding real-world environments. This role will focus heavily on flight controls development, controls modeling, state estimation, and autonomy for advanced aircraft applications, including autonomous takeoff and landing.
You will work across simulation, software, hardware, and flight test to build and validate advanced control and estimation capabilities for high-speed aircraft. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving hard dynamic systems problems, moving quickly from analysis to implementation, and working closely with cross-functional teams to take algorithms from concept through validation and flight.
Responsibilities:
  • Develop and improve flight control, guidance, and navigation algorithms for high-speed aircraft
  • Design and implement control laws, estimation logic, and sensor fusion strategies for autonomous and piloted flight applications, with an emphasis on autonomous takeoff and landing
  • Develop and analyze linear control models and dynamic system representations to support controller design, stability analysis, and performance assessment
  • Build and refine high-fidelity models of vehicle dynamics, sensors, actuators, and control system behavior using MATLAB, Simulink, and related simulation tools
  • Conduct 6-DOF simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, regression testing, and performance studies to validate system robustness across nominal and off-nominal conditions
  • Support software and system integration across flight controls, navigation, avionics, and other vehicle subsystems
  • Execute and analyze software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and system integration testing campaigns
  • Support flight test planning, real-time test execution, and post-flight data analysis to validate and improve control and estimation performance
  • Collaborate closely with avionics, software, test, and vehicle engineering teams to define requirements, interfaces, and system architecture
  • Drive technical trade studies for sensors, estimators, control logic, and autonomy-related subsystems
  • Contribute to verification strategies, test coverage definition, and system-level performance validation
  • Document technical work clearly through reports, test reviews, and design presentations

Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or a related technical field
  • 5+ years of professional experience in GNC, flight controls, autonomy, estimation, robotics, or closely related aerospace systems
  • Strong fundamentals in dynamics, linear controls, stability analysis, and modeling and simulation
  • Experience developing or integrating flight-critical algorithms for aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, UAVs, or other autonomous systems
  • Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C++, or similar technical computing and software development tools

Preferred Skills and Experience:
  • Experience with flight controls development for autonomous aircraft or other high-performance aerospace systems
  • Experience with autonomous takeoff and landing system development, testing, or validation
  • Experience with GNSS, INS/IMU, air data systems, and other aircraft navigation sensors
  • Practical experience with Kalman filtering techniques, including EKF, UKF, or related estimation methods
  • Experience with 6-DOF simulation, control law development, and flight dynamics modeling
  • Experience with software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, Monte Carlo testing, and regression-based validation
  • Experience supporting flight test, post-flight analysis, and control system tuning
  • Ability to solve complex technical problems with a high degree of ownership in a fast-paced development environment
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Passion for building advanced aircraft and enabling a faster pace of flight development

$150,875 - $204,125 a year
The salary information provided is a general guideline only. Hermeus takes various factors into account, including, but not limited to, the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's professional background, education and training, essential skills, and market and business considerations, when presenting a job offer.
Salary is only one part of our total compensation and benefits package. Hermeus offers competitive salary and equity, unlimited PTO policy, paid parental leave, potential for year-end bonuses, and more!
100% employer-paid health care
401k & Retirement Plans
Unlimited PTO
Weekly Paid Office Lunches
End of Year Bonuses
Fully stocked breakrooms
Stock Options
Paid Parental Leave
U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS
The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a "U.S. person" as defined by22 C.F.R. § 120.62or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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