Full-Time

GNC Engineer 3/4

Zone 5 Technologies

Zone 5 Technologies

201-500 employees

End-to-end UAS development for DoD

Compensation Overview

$135k - $197k/yr

San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

In Person

Category
Aerospace Engineering (2)
,
Required Skills
MATLAB
Simulink
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience in flight controls engineering for unmanned aerial systems
  • Proficiency in Matlab/Simulink
  • Strong problem-solving skills
  • Effective communication and collaboration skills
Responsibilities
  • Design, analyze, and build flight controls software for groups 1 to 4 UAS
  • Develop software components for deployment to flight test
  • Create and modify software modules in the Zone 5 avionics suite
  • Perform controls analysis to assess stability and performance
  • Run high-fidelity software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop simulations
  • Generate auto-code for embedded systems
  • Design ground tests to verify the function of new features
  • Support integration and test of aircraft for flight test
  • Conduct peer reviews and collaborate with cross-functional teams
Desired Qualifications
  • Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related field
  • Experience with Group 1-4 UAS flight controls software design
  • Knowledge of embedded systems and auto-code generation
  • Ability to mentor and train junior engineers

Zone 5 Technologies designs and builds unmanned aircraft systems for the U.S. Department of Defense as a prime contractor. Its products include air-launched effects, counter-UAS interceptors, next-generation munitions, and low-cost cruise missiles. The PALADIN multi-mission UAS can autonomously intercept drones and deploy munitions, while the Open Weapon Platform provides a modular system to rapidly add new capabilities. The company focuses on vertically integrated development from concept to production and aims for digitally engineered, attritable, affordable aircraft that can scale through a DoD-approved deployment path via the DIU Blue UAS program.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

San Luis Obispo, California

Founded

2011

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Kongsberg 90% acquisition in December 2025 expands into NATO markets.
  • DIU Blue UAS certification accelerates PALADIN adoption across DoD branches.
  • $100M+ profitable revenue in 2025 supports scalable high-volume manufacturing.

What critics are saying

  • Kongsberg redirects PALADIN and OWP to Norwegian Rusty Dagger in 3-6 months.
  • CFIUS rejects acquisition in 6-12 months, collapsing deal and blacklisting contracts.
  • Anduril's Lattice UAS captures DIU slots, eroding counter-UAS revenue in 12-18 months.

What makes Zone 5 Technologies unique

  • PALADIN UAS enables autonomous drone interception and munitions deployment.
  • Open Weapon Platform integrates third-party capabilities rapidly into weapon systems.
  • Vertically integrated from design to high-rate production of attritable aircraft.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Company News

KONGSBERG
Dec 18th, 2025
KONGSBERG acquires Zone 5 and enters development and high-volume production of affordable missiles - Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (‘KONGSBERG’) has signed an agreement to acquire the California-based missile company Zone 5 Technologies LLC, which designs and produces affordable, mass producible long-range strike and anti-drone missiles. The value of the transaction is undisclosed.

Surperformance
Dec 17th, 2025
Kongsberg acquires 90% of US missile maker Zone 5 for undisclosed sum

Norwegian defence company Kongsberg Gruppen has agreed to acquire 90 percent of US-based Zone 5 Technologies, which develops and produces low-cost missiles in large volumes. The purchase price was not disclosed, and the deal requires regulatory approval. Zone 5's management will retain the remaining shares. The company generated over $100 million in sales in 2025 and is profitable. It will operate as an independent subsidiary under Kongsberg. "The acquisition of Zone 5 is an important strategic step for Kongsberg. Zone 5 is at the forefront of developing affordable missiles that can be produced in large volumes," said Geir Håøy, CEO of Kongsberg Gruppen.