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Flight Control Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

General Atomics

Flight Controls Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advanced Programs Flight Controls Engineer in the San Diego ... Responsibilities include control law design and analysis, physics model generation, and code ...

General Atomics

Flight Controls Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

We have an exciting opportunity for a Flight Controls Engineer in the San Diego (Poway, CA) area ... Responsibilities include control law design and analysis, physics model generation, code ...

Front Door Defense

Flight Software Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$200 - $250/hr

Flight Software Engineer Develop and validate embedded flight software for Anduril UAVs, from drivers to flight control Location: Costa Mesa, California Compensation: $191,000 - 253,000 USD / year ...

General Atomics

Flight Controls Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

The guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) engineer will focus on flight controls and support world class production Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) programs. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: * Perform GNC ...

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Flight Control Engineer information

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$20

$81

$104

How much do flight control engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 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 is a flight control engineer?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a flight control engineer?

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 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 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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $168,811 per year, or $81.2 per hour.

Flight Controls Engineer

General Atomics

El Segundo, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 23 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Perform GNC-related tasks for all phases of a new aircraft development program, including requirements development, design, software integration, validation, flight test planning, and analysis of flight data.

  • Translate the physics of flight control avionics, aerodynamic characteristics, and mass properties into MATLAB scripts and Simulink models for simulation and code generation.

  • Design discrete flight control laws and perform stability and flying qualities analyses.

General Atomics rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

Job Summary
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Flight Controls Engineer in the San Diego (Poway, CA) area. In this position, you will play an active role in the design and development of flight controls for cutting-edge next generation unmanned aircraft platforms. Responsibilities include control law design and analysis, physics model generation, and code verification and validation. These responsibilities can span the entire lifecycle of a new aircraft development program, from requirements refinement to detailed design to prototype flight tests. You will have the chance to contribute to a broad swath of novel aircraft platforms ranging from Small Unmanned Air Systems (SUAS) to Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). This position offers competitive benefits, including 9/80 work schedule, medical, dental, employer-matched 401(k), pension plan, employee referral program, and more.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Perform GNC-related tasks for all phases of a new aircraft development program, including use case refinement, requirements development, clean-sheet design, software integration and validation, flight test planning, and analysis of flight data through prototype flight tests.
  • Translate the physics of flight control avionics, aerodynamic characteristics, and mass properties of a conceptual aircraft into MATLAB scripts and Simulink models for real-time simulation and automatic code generation.
  • Design discrete flight control laws, continually performing stability and flying qualities analyses.
  • Independently verify and validate the embedded control law software on the simulated and actual hardware.
  • Support development of analytic tools as needed for novel aircraft configurations.
  • Participate in internal and customer-facing design reviews, test readiness reviews, flight briefings, and technical interchange meetings.
  • Collaborate among peers, as part of a multi-disciplinary team (Systems, Software, Mechanical, and Electrical engineering), to solve unique and complex engineering challenges.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.
Job Qualifications
  • Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; twelve or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, ten or more years of experience with a masters degree, or seven or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
  • Relevant background in the areas of low- and high-speed aerodynamics, control systems, and aircraft dynamics.
  • Experience with MATLAB/Simulink modeling, simulation, and analysis of linear and nonlinear dynamic systems.
  • Strong knowledge of classical and modern control theory, lower order modeling, and filtering techniques.
  • Experience with flight control design and analysis for fixed and rotary wing aircraft or missile systems.
  • Experience designing Simulink models for code generation and integration into an established C/C++ codebase.
  • Ability to self-motivate and self-organize to achieve program established deadlines; proactively working independently and collaborating with other disciplines and seeking out help when appropriate.
  • Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively interface with other departments, customers, and/or government representatives.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance is required.
DESIRED SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Familiarity with Stateflow, Python, and/or C/C++.
  • Exposure to adjacent technical areas, including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), aerodynamics and performance, mass property analysis, servo-mechanical modeling, and/or aircraft structures.
  • Active DoD Secret, or higher, security clearance.

What General Atomics employees say

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About General Atomics

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world's leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1955

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