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Flight Controls Engineer Jobs in Melbourne, FL (NOW HIRING)

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Flight Controls Engineer information

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$76

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How much do flight controls engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight controls engineer in Melbourne, FL is $76.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71.73 and $84.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a flight controls engineer?

Flight Controls Engineers spend their days developing, testing, and refining control systems that manage an aircraft’s stability and response. They often work closely with multidisciplinary teams including software developers, test pilots, and systems engineers to design algorithms and validate performance both in simulation and on real hardware. Regular tasks may include modeling flight dynamics, analyzing data from test flights, troubleshooting system anomalies, and preparing technical documentation. This role requires a high level of attention to detail and collaboration to ensure that flight control systems meet stringent safety and reliability standards.

What is a flight controls engineer?

A Flight Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing flight control systems that manage an aircraft's behavior in flight. This includes working on software, hardware, and control laws to ensure stability, performance, and safety. They collaborate with aerospace engineers, pilots, and regulatory agencies to meet industry standards. Their role often involves simulation, modeling, and real-world testing to refine control systems.

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

To thrive as a Flight Controls Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, control systems theory, and experience with flight dynamics modeling, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, control law development tools, and industry certifications such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license or familiarity with DO-178C/DO-254 standards is highly valued. Excellent problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help distinguish high performers in collaborative aviation environments. These skills are essential to ensure the safe, reliable design and integration of advanced flight control systems in modern aircraft.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Melbourne, FL? The most popular types of Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Melbourne, FL are:
What are popular job titles related to Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Melbourne, FL? For Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Melbourne, FL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Melbourne, FL look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Melbourne, FL are:
Infographic showing various Flight Controls Engineer job openings in Melbourne, FL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,551 per year, or $76.2 per hour.

Build Specialist, Automation & Controls (Starship Launch Pad)

SpaceX

Cape Canaveral, FL

$70K - $93K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

BUILD SPECIALIST, AUTOMATION & CONTROLS (STARSHIP LAUNCH PAD)

The Starship Tower & Launch Mount team is looking for controls build specialists to help make the next generation of launch pads a reality. This role will be focused on bridging the gap between detailed design and activations - that is, developing planning for installing conveyances and pulling cables, building up a healthy supply chain of commonly used parts, assisting in the field as needed, and feeding back lessons learned from the build to the design team. The systems the group is developing are intended to interface with the next generation of Starship vehicles, catch both stages, and enable a rapid and automated flight cadence requiring no manual actions between launches. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Create work instructions for integration of electrical and controls systems as well as their related secondary structures
  • Identify and escalate tricky designs that lead to manufacturing difficulties, and propose solutions for improving the process
  • Provide production support: rapidly disposition issue tickets, work with engineers to define requirements and standard repairs
  • Troubleshoot electrical and controls systems
  • Select, modify, and maintain equipment needed to perform tests and fabrication projects
  • Onboard new machinery or equipment to increase the efficiency of builds
  • Document build processes
  • Pursue initiatives to streamline the process of going from a design to completed hardware in the field including the areas of supply chain, planning generation, communication with technicians, test plans, tooling, checkouts, and data review 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • High school diploma or equivalency certificate
  • 2+ years of experience in mechanical, fluid, or electrical disciplines 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

  • Proficiency in writing and interpreting planning documents, schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, drawings, manuals, blueprints, and engineering sketches
  • Ability to install and use instrumentation including strain gages, pressure transducers, load cells, thermocouples, RTDs, accelerometers, and analog circuitry
  • Ability to fabricate and repair cable harnesses including: soldering, crimping, assembling connectors
  • Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment
  • Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Ability to work at elevated heights up to 500 feet 

What SpaceX employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US