UAV / Flight Control Engineer

About the RoleAlert Venture Foundry (AVF) is a robotics-focused startup studio building next-generation intelligent systems that operate in complex, real-world environments. Our work spans embedded systems, autonomy, and advanced robotic platforms.We’re looking for a UAV / Flight Control Engineer with deep hands-on experience flying drones and a strong understanding of flight control systems. In this role, you’ll work across the full flight stack, from low-level stabilization and control to higher-level autonomy, while directly testing and iterating on real hardware.This is a highly hands-on role for someone who not only understands flight theory and control systems, but also has real-world experience flying, tuning, and pushing aerial systems to their limits.This role will be 4 days per week onsite in North Billerica, MA, and one day per week from home.What You’ll DoDesign, implement, and tune flight control systems for multi-rotor and aerial platforms.Work directly with and modify PX4 flight stack, including control loops, estimators, and system behavior.Develop flight and end effector control pipelines.Conduct flight testing, tuning, and validation in real-world environments.Contribute to autonomy capabilities, including navigation, stabilization, and mission execution.Collaborate with embedded, controls, and autonomy teams to bring systems from prototype to deployment.Build and use tools for simulation, telemetry, and post-flight analysis.Support rapid prototyping and iteration on new aerial platforms and configurations.What We’re Looking For5+ years of experience in UAVs, robotics, aerospace, or flight control systems.Strong hands-on experience flying and tuning drones, including real-world testing and debugging. Familiarity with PX4 or Ardupilot, including the ability to modify and extend flight control behavior. Experience with Flight Control software like QGroundControl or Mission Planner.Strong programming skills in C++ and/or Python.Experience with control systems (PID, MPC, state feedback) and fully actuated dynamics. Experience with state estimation and sensor fusion (e.g., EKF, IMU/GPS integration).Familiarity with developing multi-rotor dynamic models in simulation tools (e.g., Gazebo, Isaac Sim) and real-time system debugging. Comfort working in a fast-paced, prototyping-heavy environment.Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.Bonus Points ForExperience with autonomous navigation, VIO/SLAM, or onboard perception systems.Background in high-performance flight (e.g., drone racing, aggressive flight, research platforms).Experience mentoring engineers or leading small technical efforts.Experience building or modifying custom drones or flight hardware.Experience developing interaction or force controllers for robots.Experience with ROS2 middleware integration.Experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms and deploying software on edge compute devices.FAA Part 107 license.Why AVFWork on real-world aerial systems that go beyond basic flight into advanced autonomy and interaction.Own critical parts of the flight control stack, from code to field testing.Collaborate with a highly technical team across embedded systems, controls, and robotics.Operate in a fast-paced environment where ideas quickly move from concept to flight.Help shape the direction of next-generation robotics ventures.AVF is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are excited to push the boundaries of aerial robotics and autonomous systems.