GNC Engineer - California

Company: LTA Research
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Passionate about aerospace innovation? LTA is hiring a GNC Engineer to join our mission of building the next generation of airships. We move fast, prototype even faster, and believe that the best way to learn is by doing. You’ll be a core part of a dynamic team that owns the dynamics and controls modeling for experimental vehicles as well as the subscale model flight program. If you’re a "build a little, test a little" type of engineer who wants to see their work take flight, we want to hear from you. Responsibilities and Duties Flight Control Systems: Design, develop, and verify flight-control algorithms and software for fly-by-wire "lighter than air" vehicles. Modeling & Simulation: Develop linear and non-linear vehicle dynamics and environmental models to ensure flight performance requirements are met. System Integration: Integrate complex models into Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation environments. Analysis: Build performance and stability analysis tools to validate controller robustness. Flight Testing: Analyze flight test data and provide on-site support for both subscale models and full-scale experimental vehicle testing. Cross-Functional Innovation: Utilize a diverse tool set—including robotic arms, drones, and HIL rigs—to solve unique testing challenges. Qualifications and Skills Education: BS or higher in Aerospace, Electrical, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering with a specialized focus on dynamics and controls. Experience: 2–6 years of experience in a GNC or flight controls role. Technical Proficiency: Expertise in MATLAB & Simulink for control system design. Proven experience implementing simulations based on rigid-body flight dynamics and physics, ideally with experience in HIL implementation. Solid grasp of linear and nonlinear control theories. Soft Skills: A proactive "self-starter" mindset with strong mathematical fundamentals and version control (Git) proficiency. Desired Additional Skills Programming: Proficiency in C and Python, specifically for embedded systems and time-critical applications. Advanced Control: Experience with state estimation (Kalman filtering) and MATLAB Embedded Coder. Experience with Monte Carlo simulation. Specialized Dynamics: Familiarity with the unique dynamics of airships, buoyant bodies, or submarines. Modern Tech: Exposure to Machine Learning applications within aerospace or robotics. Testing: Background in aerospace test engineering or working within multidisciplinary/international teams. What We Offer! Relocation assistance Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan (100% premium paid for individuals, ~70% for dependents) Company-paid life, AD&D, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurances Parental leave Generous PTO 10 paid holidays 401(k) matching up to 6% Lunch and snacks provided every day, including accommodations for all dietary restrictions Monthly wellness stipend Monthly cell phone stipend Yearly education stipend to obtain certifications or take classes in your field Fun events, swag, and the occasional airship ride An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields Compliance Requirements Criminal background check clearance Drug test clearance wherever applicable $100,000 - $150,000 a year SMS Text Messaging (10DLC Compliance) LTA RESEARCH may communicate with applicants and users via SMS (text messaging) for purposes related to job applications, interview scheduling, and other recruitment updates. By providing your phone number through our application or contact forms, you consent to receive such communications. We do not use SMS for marketing purposes, and we will never sell, rent, or share your phone number with third parties for their promotional use. Message Frequency & Opt-Out: Message frequency may vary depending on your application status. Standard message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message. For assistance, reply HELP. Consent & Privacy: Your consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of employment. All data collected through text messaging is handled accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws, ensuring your personal information is kept secure and confidential. LTA Research & Exploration welcomes all candidates to apply including those with limited experience. We understand that candidates with a growth mindset and passion for working on the next chapter in aviation advancement can outweigh experience alone. We celebrate diverse origins and journeys and understand their importance in developing new technology. Rooted in our humanitarian mission, we want to serve the entire globe and have a team that represents those we wish to serve. Lighter Than Air is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other discriminatory factors prohibited by law. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Keywords: LTA Research, Vallejo , GNC Engineer - California, Engineering , Sunnyvale, California