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Summer Flight Controls Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

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Summer Flight Controls Engineer information

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How much do summer flight controls engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer flight controls engineer in Chicago, IL is $84.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79.76 and $93.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a summer flight controls engineer?

Summer Flight Controls Engineers are typically interns or temporary employees who work with aerospace engineering teams during the summer months, focusing on the design, analysis, testing, and improvement of flight control systems in aircraft or spacecraft. Their responsibilities often include assisting with simulations, debugging software, running experiments, and supporting the development of control algorithms that ensure safe and efficient vehicle operation. This role provides hands-on experience and helps students or early-career engineers gain insight into the aerospace industry and the complexities of flight control systems.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a summer flight controls engineer expect during an internship?

As a Summer Flight Controls Engineer, you can expect to work on projects involving the design, simulation, and testing of flight control systems for aircraft or drones. Typical responsibilities include supporting model development, running hardware-in-the-loop simulations, analyzing flight test data, and assisting with troubleshooting control algorithms. You'll often collaborate with senior engineers, software teams, and test pilots to ensure the systems meet safety and performance standards. This hands-on experience provides valuable exposure to the aerospace industry's tools and processes, which can be a strong stepping stone for future career growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a summer flight controls engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Summer Flight Controls Engineer, you need a solid understanding of aerospace engineering principles, control systems, and typically enrollment in a relevant engineering program. Familiarity with tools like MATLAB/Simulink, flight simulation software, and version control systems is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication help you excel in collaborative and fast-paced project environments. These competencies are crucial for designing and testing reliable flight control systems that ensure aircraft safety and optimal performance.

What is the difference between Summer Flight Controls Engineer vs Summer Avionics Engineer?

AspectSummer Flight Controls EngineerSummer Avionics Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; relevant certificationsBachelor's in Electrical, Electronics, or Aerospace Engineering; certifications may vary
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and integration of flight control systems in aircraftDevelopment and testing of avionic systems and electronic components in aircraft
Industry UsagePrimarily in aerospace and aircraft manufacturing companiesIn aerospace, defense, and avionics system providers

The Summer Flight Controls Engineer focuses on designing and testing aircraft control systems, while the Summer Avionics Engineer specializes in electronic systems within aircraft. Both roles require similar technical backgrounds and work environments, but their specific responsibilities differ in system focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Summer Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Summer Flight Controls Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Summer Flight Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Summer Flight Controls Engineer job openings:

Robotics & Autonomy Engineer (UAV)

Ascend Engineer

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$110 - $160/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

We are seeking a Robotics & Autonomy Engineer to develop, integrate, and maintain autonomy capabilities on UAV platforms built around the PX4 and ArduPilot stacks. This is a full-time role on our engineering team, working across a range of client projects โ€” so the day-to-day emphasizes hands-on integration, debugging, and real-world flight validation more than ground-up design ownership. You'll work across the full UAV stack, from embedded flight software and state estimation through mission logic and system integration, with a strong focus on reliability and practical field performance.

This position suits someone who enjoys both software development and hands-on hardware work, and who's comfortable owning problems across shifting project contexts. The ideal candidate brings solid robotics and autonomy fundamentals โ€” estimation, controls, and coordinate frames โ€” and is eager to grow deep expertise in the PX4 autopilot stack, including VIO, map matching, and GPS-denied navigation.

MUST HAVE PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN US Responsibilities
  • Develop and modify PX4 or ArduPilot firmware to support new autonomy features and system capabilities
  • Implement mission logic, flight behaviors, and MAVLink integrations
  • Integrate sensors, cameras, radios, and payloads into UAV platforms
  • Tune and analyze estimation and control performance (EKF/Kalman filtering, PID loops) across platforms
  • Conduct flight testing and validate autonomous behaviors in real-world conditions
  • Analyze flight logs and telemetry to diagnose and resolve issues
  • Debug problems across the UAV stack including firmware, networking, hardware, and companion computers
  • Collaborate with engineers to design robust UAV architectures and workflows
  • Document system behavior, debugging results, and design decisions
Required Qualifications
  • Strong robotics/autonomy fundamentals: coordinate frame transformations, state estimation (Kalman filtering / sensor fusion), and PID control analysis
  • Strong C++ or C programming skills
  • Experience with PX4 or ArduPilot โ€” or demonstrated ability to ramp quickly on a complex embedded autopilot codebase
  • Experience flying and testing UAV or robotic platforms
  • Familiarity with MAVLink, flight logs, and autopilot configuration
  • Experience debugging complex software and hardware interactions
  • Ability to work independently and take ownership of engineering tasks across multiple projects
  • Strong problem-solving skills and practical engineering judgment
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with ROS/ROS 2 and Nav2
  • Experience with visual-inertial odometry (VIO), map matching, or GPS-denied navigation
  • Experience building or configuring drones from components
  • Familiarity with companion computers (Linux), MAVSDK, or ROS
  • Experience integrating sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, or GPS systems
  • Experience with embedded systems or hardware debugging
  • Experience analyzing flight logs and tuning flight controllers
  • Personal robotics, UAV, or embedded systems projects
What We Value
  • Engineers who build and experiment outside of work
  • Strong ownership and accountability for outcomes
  • Practical, handsโ€‘on problem solving
  • Clear communication and collaboration within small teams
  • Curiosity and continuous learning
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