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Flight Controls Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Estes Aerospace

Flight Controls Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

... engineers who want to close the loop -- not just model a system, but actually fly it. There's nothing quite like that first flight test. Estes Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes ...

Skyways

Senior Flight Controls Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

The Opportunity This is a hands-on controls role on a small, fast moving GNC team. You will own ... Analyze flight logs, find root cause, and turn findings into control fixes. * Write and own flight ...

Skyways

Senior Flight Controls Engineer

Austin, TX

The Opportunity This is a hands-on controls role on a small, fast moving GNC team. You will own ... Analyze flight logs, find root cause, and turn findings into control fixes. * Write and own flight ...

Skyways

Senior Flight Controls Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

The Opportunity This is a hands-on controls role on a small, fast moving GNC team. You will own ... Analyze flight logs, find root cause, and turn findings into control fixes. * Write and own flight ...

Merlin Labs

$200K - $265K/yr

You are an experienced flight controls engineer passionate about autonomous flight who wants to contribute to making airplanes fly themselves. You are familiar with fixed wing aircraft and the ...

Merlin Labs

Staff Engineer, Core Flight Controls

OR · On-site +1

$200K - $265K/yr

You are an experienced flight controls engineer passionate about autonomous flight who wants to contribute to making airplanes fly themselves. You are familiar with fixed wing aircraft and the ...

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How much do flight controls engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight controls engineer in the United States is $82.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77.40 and $90.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

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Flight Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Controls Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $171,051 per year, or $82.2 per hour.

UAS Flight Controls Engineer

Strativ Group

El Segundo, CA • On-site

Other

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Location: El Segundo area

Engagement: Contract - W2 or 1099

Duration: 12 months with high likelihood of extension


About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Flight Controls Engineer to design, develop, and field autonomous flight control laws for our next-generation Unmanned Airborne Systems (UAS). In this role, you will take ownership of the full control loop—from initial vehicle dynamics modeling and simulation through control algorithm development, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing, and live flight test validation.


The ideal candidate brings proven experience delivering safety-critical control systems within the aerospace and defense sector for fixed-wing, VTOL, or multirotor unmanned platforms.


Key Responsibilities

  • Control Law Development: Design, analyze, and implement linear and non-linear flight control algorithms (e.g., dynamic inversion, MPC, adaptive control) for diverse UAS platforms.
  • Modeling & Simulation: Develop high-fidelity 6-DOF dynamic models of air vehicles, actuators, sensors, and environmental factors using MATLAB/Simulink.
  • Software Implementation: Auto-code (Simulink Coder/Embedded Coder) or hand-code control algorithms into C/C++ targeting real-time embedded flight computers.
  • System Identification: Analyze flight test data to refine and validate aerodynamic models, vehicle dynamics, and sensor/actuator characterizations.
  • Integration & Testing: Participate in Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, as well as lead control system debugging during ground and live flight operations.
  • Safety & Verification: Author control system requirements, perform stability margin analyses (gain/phase margins, robustness tests), and support flight readiness reviews.


Required Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (Ph.D. preferred),
  • Industry Experience: Minimum 5+ years of direct experience developing flight control systems within aerospace and defense companies that design, manufacture, or integrate UAS.
  • Technical Mastery
  • Deep knowledge of classical and modern control theory (PID, LQR/LQG, gain scheduling, state estimation.
  • Expert-level proficiency with MATLAB & Simulink for model-based design and 6-DOF simulation.
  • Hands-on experience implementing control algorithms on real-time embedded hardware using C/C++.
  • UAS Domain Expertise: Direct experience with UAS dynamics (fixed-wing, VTOL, or rotary), guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) integration, and flight testing
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship required due to defense contracting requirements (ITAR/EAR).


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with ArduPilot, PX4, or proprietary defense flight control stacks
  • Familiarity with military and aerospace standards (e.g., DO-178C, DO-254, MIL-F-8785C, MIL-STD-810).
  • Background in sensor fusion, Kalman filtering (EKF/UKF), and GPS-denied navigation systems
  • FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate or experience serving as a flight test engineer/director.

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