Senior GNC Engineer
About Mach Industries
Founded in 2022, Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology company focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. At the core of our mission is the commitment to delivering scalable, decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies. With a workforce of approximately 220 employees, we operate with startup agility and ambition.
Our vision is to redefine the future of warfare through cutting-edge manufacturing, innovation at speed, and unwavering focus on national security. We are dedicated to solving the next generation of warfare with lethal systems that deter kinetic conflict and protect global security.
The Role
Contribute to the design and development of flight control systems for Mach’s fixed-wing aircraft. You’ll help design, implement, and validate flight-critical control laws across the mission profile—from takeoff through landing—working closely with senior and principal engineers to deliver robust, well-tested performance across the flight envelope.
Key Responsibilities
Contribute to control system architecture and requirements for fixed-wing vehicles, including primary flight control, envelope protection, autothrottle/energy management, and mode logic.
Design and implement control laws that account for actuator limits, time delays, and sensor noise.
Support system identification and aerodynamic model development using wind-tunnel, CFD, and flight-test data; develop and maintain linearized models.
Implement and test fault-handling and reconfiguration strategies (sensor/actuator monitoring, control allocation, redundancy management) with an emphasis on safe degradation.
Execute verification & validation activities, including SIL/HIL testing, Monte Carlo analysis, and support of flight-readiness reviews.
Participate in flight-test planning and execution; analyze flight data, tune controllers, and iterate designs under supervision of senior technical leads.
Collaborate in design reviews and code reviews; help uphold technical standards and best practices within the controls team.
Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field.
Experience: 4–7+ years designing and deploying flight control systems for fixed-wing aircraft or high-performance UAVs, including exposure to flight test.
Strong understanding of flight dynamics, stability and controllability, and actuator/sensor modeling.
Proficiency in C++ for embedded or real-time systems; strong MATLAB and/or Python skills for modeling, system identification, and analysis.
Experience supporting verification workflows such as SIL/HIL testing, requirements validation, and safety-critical reviews.
Familiarity with modern software development practices (git, code reviews, issue tracking) and telemetry/data analysis.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with energy-based control concepts, autothrottle systems, sideslip/yaw coordination, or control allocation for over-actuated vehicles.
Experience working with PX4 and ROS 2, or similar flight-control and robotics frameworks.
Exposure to aerospace development standards (e.g., DO-178C, DO-331, ARP4754A) or equivalent safety-critical engineering rigor.
Experience working on resource-constrained embedded systems with real-time performance considerations (latency, jitter, numerical robustness).
Disclosures
This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.
Mach participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach’s total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.
Mach is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. If you’d like to defend the American way of life, please reach out!