- Robot type
- Drone · Defense
- Location
- DallasTexasUSA
- Job type
- Hardware
- Posted
- Apr 15, 2026
- Salary
- $220,000–$340,000 a year
Full-time
Flight Controls Engineer (R4815)
Job description
Shield AI — Flight Controls Engineer (R4815) (Dallas, Texas · Seattle, Washington).
Job responsibilities
- Design and deliver the flight control system across all phases of flight including control allocation strategies that manage actuator redundancy, saturation, and degraded operations.
- Lead development of high-fidelity 6DOF simulation environments and ensure accurate pre-flight performance predictions
- Define and execute the verification strategy, including linear analysis, Monte Carlo campaigns, disturbance/sensitivity/degraded operation testing, and HIL validation
- Diagnose and resolve simulation-to-flight mismatches, including unidentified dynamics and modeling gaps
- Support flight test operations, making risk-informed decisions and driving rapid iteration between flights
- Integrate control systems with propulsion, aero, actuation, sensors, state estimation, and autonomy, ensuring the vehicle behaves predictably under real-world disturbances and uncertainties
- Mentor and guide engineers while setting the technical standard for control system performance and rigor
Job requirements
- 10+ years of experience in flight controls / GNC on real flight vehicles, with demonstrated ownership from design through flight test
- Demonstrated experience with control allocation design and implementation for over-actuated systems with provisions for saturation and failure accommodation.
- Strong background in:
- Flight dynamics and 6DOF simulation
- Control theory and nonlinear systems
- Experience executing full V&V cycles, including pre-flight performance prediction, Monte Carlo analysis, flight readiness assessment, and post-flight analysis
- Proficiency in C++, MATLAB/Simulink, and/or Python, with experience deploying real-time algorithms
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
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