Senior Flight Dynamics, Avionics Engineer

Airbus

Senior Flight Dynamics & Avionics Engineer at Airbus integrating software and flight dynamics for UAV platforms. Responsible for flight testing, performance analysis, and control systems optimization.

Posted 6/20/2026full-timeBingen • Texas, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $147,000 - $236,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Analyzing and modeling UAV flight mechanics, including aerodynamic forces, stability, and control response.
Evaluating and refining flight performance metrics such as endurance, climb rate, turn capability, and control authority.
Correlating flight test data with aerodynamic and performance models to validate system behavior and identify discrepancies.
Supporting flight envelope expansion, ensuring aircraft operate safely within aerodynamic and structural limits.
Contributing to defining and verifying performance requirements and mission-level objectives.
Supporting flight testing as required.
Reviewing, documenting, and tuning existing control and navigation algorithms for attitude, position, and mission control.
Analyzing control law performance under various flight conditions and refining parameters for improved stability and response.
Investigating and explaining observed flight behaviors through theoretical and numerical analysis.
Supporting estimation and sensor fusion performance assessment (IMU, GPS, air data, magnetometer, etc.).
Collaborating with software and flight test teams to ensure accurate implementation and documentation of GNC logic.
Owning and continuously advancing a comprehensive understanding of the autopilot and flight control software architecture, including embedded systems, control laws, and aircraft-level integration.
Interpreting and documenting algorithmic flow and software-hardware interactions.
Collaborating with embedded engineers to ensure correct integration and calibration of control laws.
Occasionally implementing or prototyping algorithm modifications and diagnostic tools using C/C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink.
Interpreting electrical wiring diagrams and avionics schematics to understand system interfaces and dependencies.
Supporting system integration and troubleshooting activities related to sensors, flight computers, and actuators.
Participating in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and bench-level testing to validate overall flight system behavior.
Producing and maintaining detailed technical documentation, including algorithm descriptions, test procedures, and performance reports.
Contributing to simulation model improvement and data processing workflows.
Staying informed on advances in UAV flight dynamics, GNC theory, and aeronautical system modeling.
Mentoring junior engineers on principles of flight mechanics, stability, and control system design.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Possess a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Control Systems Engineering.
Have ten (10) + years' of experience in aerospace, UAV, or flight control engineering.
Have five (5) + years' of hands-on experience with flight data analysis and performance validation.
Strong background in flight mechanics, aerodynamics, and aircraft performance analysis.
Demonstrated knowledge tuning or analyzing flight control and navigation algorithms.
Familiarity with C/C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink for analysis, documentation, or prototyping.
Understanding of embedded systems and avionics interfaces (CAN, UART, TCP/UDP, serial).
Ability to interpret electrical schematics and support hardware/software integration.
Good understanding of embedded systems and software development practices, with demonstrated ability to solve technical problems with little supervision.
Strong understanding of aircraft dynamics, stability & control, and flight performance principles.
Skilled in data analysis, simulation, and model correlation using real flight data.
Excellent ability to translate flight observations into actionable control system improvements.
Strong communication and documentation skills for technical and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Microsoft Visual Studio Compilers, Debuggers Source control Git or GitLab.
Travel Required: 10% Domestic and International.
Citizenship: Must be a US Person under ITAR definition.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Prescription insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts
Health Savings Accounts
Basic & Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
Short and Long-term Disability insurance
401(k)
Paid time off including paid holidays
Tuition Assistance
Bonus(es) subject to performance criteria

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

UAV flight mechanicsaerodynamicsflight performance analysisflight control algorithmsC/C++PythonMATLAB/Simulinkembedded systemsdata analysissimulation modeling

Soft Skills

problem-solvingcommunicationdocumentationmentoringcollaborationtechnical writingindependent workanalytical thinkingattention to detailleadership