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Flight Control Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Neros Technologies

Flight Software Manager

Torrance, CA

$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

General Atomics

Engineer IV

Poway, CA · On-site

$98K - $171K/yr

Develop flight control and algorithm improvements based on engineering design principles. Utilize varying methodologies including classical controls, linear and non-linear modeling, air vehicle and ...

Anduril Industries

Flight Test Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site +1

Familiarity with rotary-wing and fixed-wing aerodynamics and flight control systems. * Excellent ... Advanced degree in engineering, robotics, computer science, or a related field. * Hands-on ...

General Atomics

Engineer V

Poway, CA · On-site

$105K - $189K/yr

We are seeking a Project Engineer with a focus on flight sciences to support research and ... Flight controls and control law development * Wind tunnel testing and validation * Integration of ...

LTA Research

Flight Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$85K - $140K/yr

We're looking for an engineer who is excited to execute flight test 'firsts' and to lay the ... Experience testing Fly-By-Wire, flight control, electrical, and/or propulsion systems.

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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.

Flight Software Manager

Neros Technologies

Torrance, CA

$225K - $265K/yr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Who we are

Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America's drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.

As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years.

What you will be doing

Neros is building the flight software that powers our expanding family of drones. As Flight Software Manager, you will lead the team responsible for the mission-critical software running on the aircraft - flight controls, avionics, payload integration, datalink, and onboard health - and the software interfaces our autonomy and ground systems depend on. You will own the reliability, release cadence, and engineering quality of this stack while growing and leading the team that builds it.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and grow the Flight Software engineering team, including hiring, mentorship, and performance management
  • Own the architecture and delivery of the airside flight-software stack across multiple vehicle platforms
  • Drive predictable, safe software releases for mission-critical systems and steward the long-term health of the codebase
  • Set and uphold engineering quality practices - code review, testing, and CI/CD - for mission-critical software
  • Own the flight software team's test strategy and unit/integration testing, partnering with the Test organization on SITL/HITL and flight-test execution
  • Define and maintain the software interfaces consumed by autonomy and adjacent teams

Requirements

  • Has led a software team as a hands-on manager - owning both people management and technical direction
  • Strong background in embedded, real-time, safety-critical and/or mission-critical software
  • Hands-on depth in flight-control / avionics software, or closely adjacent real-time control systems
  • Familiarity with flight-stack platforms such as PX4, Betaflight, ArduPilot, or comparable autopilot/flight-control software
  • Track record of shipping reliable software on hardware-coupled, schedule-constrained programs
  • Strong judgment on test rigor, technical debt, and quality for mission-critical systems
  • Able to operate as the interface between the team and senior leadership - managing expectations upward and clearing execution blockers for the team

Nice to have

  • Experience with contested-environment datalink / RF comms
  • Experience defining platform interfaces consumed by other teams - e.g. autonomy, gcs, etc.
  • Multi-vehicle / swarm systems experience
  • Background bringing up new vehicle platforms or product lines from prototype to production

US Salary Range

$225,000 - $265,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Neros' total compensation package.

We're an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

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