ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Summer Flight Controls Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

idexcel

Flight Controls systems engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

Automatic Flight Controls systems engineer supporting the Epic/Apex program teams. Preferred experience with Epic. Team responsibilities include Autopilot, Yaw Damper, Flight Director, Thrust ...

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 ...

Merlin Labs

Staff Engineer, Core Flight Controls

OR · Remote

$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 ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All Jobssummer JobsManufacturing JobsElectronics JobsControls Engineer JobsSummer Flight Controls Engineer Jobs

Summer Flight Controls Engineer information

See salary details

$21

$82

$105

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 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 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.

More about Summer Flight Controls Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Summer Flight Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Summer Flight Controls Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Controls Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Flight Controls Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Summer Flight Controls Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Summer Flight Controls Engineer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Summer Flight Controls Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Summer Flight Controls Engineer jobs are:

Summer Flight Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Summer Flight Controls Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $171,051 per year, or $82.2 per hour.

Guidance Navigation Controls (GNC) Engineer V/VI

Zone 5 Technologies

San Luis Obispo, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

The GNC Engineer V/VI is a senior-level individual contributor role responsible for leading the design, development, and optimization of advanced guidance, navigation, and control systems for UAS. This position involves driving innovation in flight controls software, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating across disciplines to deliver cutting-edge UAS technologies. Engineers in this role will contribute to strategic initiatives, ensure high performance in flight control systems, and lead efforts from concept to flight testing.

Responsibilities:

  • Technical Leadership: Lead the design, analysis, and development of flight controls software for Group 1 to 4 UAS.

  • Software Development: Architect and implement advanced software components for deployment to flight tests.

  • Simulation Expertise: Oversee the creation and execution of high-fidelity SWIL and HWIL simulations to validate system performance.

  • Advanced Modeling: Develop and refine complex models in Matlab/Simulink, ensuring accuracy and performance optimization.

  • Controls Analysis: Perform advanced stability and performance analyses, providing guidance on control system optimization.

  • Mentorship: Mentor and train junior engineers, fostering technical growth and team collaboration.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Drive effective communication and alignment across engineering disciplines to meet project objectives.

  • Innovation and R&D: Lead research initiatives in advanced flight control methodologies, embedded systems, and auto-code generation.

  • Documentation and Review: Produce comprehensive technical documentation and lead peer review processes to ensure quality and compliance.

Qualifications:

  • Education: Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

  • Experience: 10+ years of experience in flight controls engineering, with at least 5 years in UAS applications.

  • Skills:

    • Expertise in Matlab/Simulink and auto-code generation for embedded systems.

    • Advanced knowledge of control theory, flight dynamics, and embedded systems.

    • Experienced in state estimation and Kalman filtering.

    • Proven ability to run and analyze SWIL and HWIL simulations.

    • Strong leadership and project management skills.

    • Effective communication and collaboration skills.

    • Familiarity with Group 1-4 UAS flight controls and avionics suites.

  • Preferred Qualifications:

    • Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams.

    • Knowledge of advanced control techniques and optimization algorithms.

    • History of contributing to successful flight test programs and R&D projects.

Pay Range by Level for San Luis Obispo, CA: 

Level V - $197,000 - $226,000

Level VI - $226,000 - $265,000

#LI-AW1

Apply