{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"fcca7c6846d6a1d461d7de7b","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/fcca7c6846d6a1d461d7de7b","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/fcca7c6846d6a1d461d7de7b","title":"Flight Dynamics Controls Engineer","description":"Company Overview\n\nAllen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones.\n\nWith an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.\n\nAbout The Role\n\nWe are looking for a Flight Dynamics & Controls Engineer to own the aerodynamic modeling, flight control design, and system identification work for our high-performance fixed-wing UAV. This is an individual contributor role for someone with genuine depth in both aeronautics and classical controls.\n\nWhat You’ll Do\n\nUse aeronautical analysis tools such as AVL to build and refine aerodynamic models; improve the fidelity of our simulator’s aircraft model and physics engine.\n\nDesign, tune, and augment flight control laws based on aerodynamic models and flight test results; add standard fixed-wing control features including altitude and airspeed control loops, and waypoint following.\n\nDesign flight test maneuvers optimized for system identification and data collection; analyze flight data to close the loop between model predictions and real-world behavior.\n\nWhat You’ll Need\n\nSolid understanding of classical control theory, including when to apply advanced methods; 1+ years of relevant experience in controls, flight dynamics, or a closely related discipline including academic or hands-on hobbyist work.\n\nSolid aeronautics knowledge covering fixed-wing stability, aerodynamic modeling, and flight mechanics; this role requires genuine depth in both disciplines and we are looking for someone who is genuinely an airplane nerd.\n\nYou’ll Stand Out\n\nFamiliarity with missile guidance laws such as proportional navigation or pursuit control.\n\nProficiency in Python and/or C++; we weight aero and controls depth heavily over software skills, but the ability to implement your own work is a meaningful plus.\n\nExperience with system identification techniques applied to real flight data.\n\nBackground in navigation or guidance that would allow broader contribution to GNC work over time.\n\nWhat We Offer\n\nCompetitive salary\n\nACS Equity Package\n\nHealth, Dental, Vision Insurance\n\nPaid Time Off\n\nAllen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. #LI-AS1\n\nCompensation Range: $130K - $220K","company":"Allen Control Systems","rawCompany":"allen control systems","city":"Millbrae","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-15T10:26:04.805Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2199.05","title":"Mechatronics Engineers","slug":"mechatronics-engineers"},{"code":"17-2072.00","title":"Electronics Engineers, Except Computer","slug":"electronics-engineers-except-computer"},{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"336411","title":"Aircraft Manufacturing","slug":"aircraft-manufacturing"},{"code":"541330","title":"Engineering Services","slug":"engineering-services"},{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Flight Dynamics Controls Engineer","description":"Company Overview\n\nAllen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones.\n\nWith an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.\n\nAbout The Role\n\nWe are looking for a Flight Dynamics & Controls Engineer to own the aerodynamic modeling, flight control design, and system identification work for our high-performance fixed-wing UAV. This is an individual contributor role for someone with genuine depth in both aeronautics and classical controls.\n\nWhat You’ll Do\n\nUse aeronautical analysis tools such as AVL to build and refine aerodynamic models; improve the fidelity of our simulator’s aircraft model and physics engine.\n\nDesign, tune, and augment flight control laws based on aerodynamic models and flight test results; add standard fixed-wing control features including altitude and airspeed control loops, and waypoint following.\n\nDesign flight test maneuvers optimized for system identification and data collection; analyze flight data to close the loop between model predictions and real-world behavior.\n\nWhat You’ll Need\n\nSolid understanding of classical control theory, including when to apply advanced methods; 1+ years of relevant experience in controls, flight dynamics, or a closely related discipline including academic or hands-on hobbyist work.\n\nSolid aeronautics knowledge covering fixed-wing stability, aerodynamic modeling, and flight mechanics; this role requires genuine depth in both disciplines and we are looking for someone who is genuinely an airplane nerd.\n\nYou’ll Stand Out\n\nFamiliarity with missile guidance laws such as proportional navigation or pursuit control.\n\nProficiency in Python and/or C++; we weight aero and controls depth heavily over software skills, but the ability to implement your own work is a meaningful plus.\n\nExperience with system identification techniques applied to real flight data.\n\nBackground in navigation or guidance that would allow broader contribution to GNC work over time.\n\nWhat We Offer\n\nCompetitive salary\n\nACS Equity Package\n\nHealth, Dental, Vision Insurance\n\nPaid Time Off\n\nAllen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. #LI-AS1\n\nCompensation Range: $130K - $220K","datePosted":"2026-08-15T10:26:04.805Z","dateModified":"2026-08-15T10:26:04.805Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Allen Control Systems","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Millbrae","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"fcca7c6846d6a1d461d7de7b"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/fcca7c6846d6a1d461d7de7b"}}