Full-Time

GNC Engineer 2

Posted on 2/24/2026

AeroVironment

AeroVironment

1,001-5,000 employees

Designs and manufactures unmanned defense drones

Compensation Overview

$102.7k - $145.5k/yr

Huntsville, AL, USA

In Person

Travel within the continental U.S. up to 20%.

Category
Aerospace Engineering (2)
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Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in a related engineering discipline or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
  • 2+ years of combined experience in aircraft design and/or project management, GN&C, flight testing, systems engineering, and program management
  • Demonstrated hands-on attitude with strong development experience
  • Has basic knowledge of engineering disciplines and prior experience in the development of Autopilot hardware and software; Flight control hardware and software; Part 23 and part 27 aircraft certification; Ground control communications hardware and software; Ground control support equipment; Air vehicle subsystems integration & test; Air vehicle systems communications hardware and software; High voltage electrical power systems
  • Travel within the continental United States is required to support flight test operations (up to 20%)
Responsibilities
  • Supports the design, development and validation of the flight control system for current and new products
  • Supports system interfaces, test and flight test activities from subscale to full scale within perimeter
  • Supports implementation of designed flight control algorithms onto the aircraft flight control system hardware
  • Supports the preparation and execution of validating the flight control system including analysis (SIL/HIL/iron bird)
  • Ensures proper integration and validation of the flight control system together with the avionic system.
  • Supports the test team as required to explore and validate technical solutions.
  • Works on problems of moderate scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors
  • Normally receives general instructions on routine work, detailed instructions on new projects or assignments
  • Other duties as assigned
Desired Qualifications
  • Familiar with office software and computer based productivity tools. Demonstrated competence in engineering processes and design tools
  • Knowledge of appropriate design and simulation tools and validation techniques
  • Demonstrates strong communication (verbal & written), presentation and collaboration skills
  • Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
  • Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
  • Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
  • Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
  • Demonstrates effective problem-solving, analytical and interpersonal skills with the ability to work well across disciplines. Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

AeroVironment designs and builds unmanned aerial systems for defense, ranging from small drones to high-altitude aircraft. Its products include reconnaissance drones and loitering munitions, which can fly autonomously or with minimal human input to gather intelligence or deliver payloads. The company differentiates itself through a long history in aerospace, a broad product portfolio, and strategic acquisitions that expand capabilities in AI, robotics, and space systems, such as Tomahawk Robotics and BlueHalo, plus its contribution to NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter. Its goal is to advance autonomous systems across air, ground, and space to keep military personnel out of harm’s way and to shape the future of unmanned tech.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Monrovia, California

Founded

1971

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • US Army awards $14.6M VAPOR CLE contract for Medium Range Reconnaissance in 2026.
  • LOCUST laser gains FAA validation at White Sands for domestic counter-drone use.
  • Halo_Shield modular architecture integrates Switchblade, LOCUST via AV_Halo software.

What critics are saying

  • Anduril displaces VAPOR CLE in Army MRR Tranche 2 within 12 months.
  • ITAR restrictions block LOCUST, Halo_Shield exports to NATO allies by 2027.
  • Supply chain failures delay Switchblade production, incurring Army penalties in 18 months.

What makes AeroVironment unique

  • Pioneered loitering munitions with Switchblade drones for US Army since 2007.
  • Developed Raven, Wasp, Puma UAS as standard for DoD tactical reconnaissance.
  • Founded in 1971 by Paul MacCready, leader in lightweight autonomous systems.

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Benefits

Health, Dental, & Vision

Health Savings Account

401(k) Account

Alternative Work Schedule

Educational and Tuition Assistance Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Sick Leave Donation

Time Off

Travel Assistance

Company Sponsored Events

Company News

Business Wire
Apr 9th, 2026
AeroVironment appoints Dr Robert Smith as chief operating officer to scale manufacturing

AeroVironment has appointed Dr Robert Smith as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective 13 April 2026. Smith will oversee the company's Autonomous Systems and Space, Cyber and Directed Energy business units, as well as global operations and manufacturing. Smith joins from Raytheon, where he served as Vice President of Radio Frequency Solutions, overseeing a multi-billion-dollar radar and electronic warfare business. He previously held executive roles at Lockheed Martin, BWXT and CAES. The appointment reflects AeroVironment's focus on scaling manufacturing to meet rising customer demand and strengthening operational execution. Smith holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a PhD from Auburn University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 7th, 2026
US Navy selects AeroVironment to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services

AeroVironment has been selected by the US Navy to provide Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance services. The company will compete with other industry partners to deliver turnkey ISR capabilities as part of the Navy's initiative to modernise its operations. AeroVironment will deploy its JUMP 20-X Group 3 Vertical Take Off and Landing unmanned aerial system to support various land and marine missions. The company also recently launched LOCUST X3, a third-generation high-energy laser weapon system designed to neutralise unmanned aerial system threats. AeroVironment develops and manufactures drones, unmanned systems and AI-powered technologies for defence applications, serving government organisations and business companies.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 6th, 2026
Ondas secures $50M+ border demining deal after $175M Mistral merger and Palantir AI partnership

Ondas Holdings has secured a border demining contract with initial orders of $15.8 million and follow-on work expected to exceed $50 million. The project forms part of Israel's $1.7 billion Eastern Border Security Barrier Initiative, a 500-kilometre national effort to upgrade the eastern frontier. The contract follows Ondas' recent $175 million merger with Mistral, a defence prime contractor with access to over $1 billion in US Army and Special Operations Command contracts. Days earlier, Ondas announced a strategic partnership with Palantir Technologies to integrate AI across its drone and robot platforms. Ondas raised its 2026 revenue guidance to at least $375 million, nearly sevenfold from 2025's $50.7 million. The company's subsidiary 4M Defence will deploy AI-powered robotics and autonomous systems for mine clearance operations beginning in the coming weeks.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 4th, 2026
AeroVironment wins $117M Army contract and Navy ISR deal as legal probe targets finances

AeroVironment has secured multiple defence contracts, including a US Navy award for contractor-owned ISR services using its JUMP 20-X drone system and a $117 million US Army contract for P550 long-range reconnaissance UAVs. The company also unveiled its LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon system. However, the defence technology firm faces legal scrutiny as Pomerantz LLP investigates potential securities law violations following weaker fiscal 2026 results and a goodwill impairment linked to a US Space Force programme. The Navy ISR award strengthens AeroVironment's contract pipeline and revenue visibility for fiscal 2026, but concerns persist around margins, goodwill write-downs and BlueHalo integration. Optimistic analysts project revenue could reach $2.9 billion by 2028, though rising defence budget pressures and export controls pose risks.

Armada International
Mar 27th, 2026
AeroVironment debuts Locust 3X high-power counter-drone.

AeroVironment debuts Locust 3X high-power counter-drone. March 27, 2026 AeroVironment showcased its latest version of the high-energy Counter Drone Laser weapon, the Locust 3X, at the AUSA Global Force 2026 event held in Huntsville, Alabama, from 24 to 26 March. The weapon system represents the newest development from the BlueHalo team, which was acquired by AeroVironment in May 2025. High-power directed energy, particularly lasers, has been regarded as one of the promising technologies for countering smaller Group 1, 2, and 3 unmanned aerial drones. The high-energy laser offers the potential to engage multiple targets in rapid succession, thus enabling it to address attacks by drone swarms. With the laser beam traveling at the speed of light, it can also hit drones manoeuvring and moving at high speeds. Additionally, a laser weapon can continue engaging targets as long as it has power; it is not limited by the number of rounds, as with conventional missile or gun systems. The Locust 3X is a 25kW-30kW laser, modular beam director. It includes integrated electro-optics for search, identification, and tracking. This third-generation design adds AI capability and automation to detection, tracking, and engagement. The system is intended to address not only smaller Group 1 and 2 drones but also larger Group 3 combat drones. The latter includes the Iranian Shahed and Russia's Geran drones, which have been prominent on recent battlefields. Locust 3X features a modular design that can be adapted for various missions and applications. It can serve as a fixed ground mount for base or airfield protection or operate in a mobile configuration on a JLTV or squad vehicle. The US Army is developing lasers through its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) and Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototype programmes. Aaron Westman, a Senior Director of Business Development at AeroVironment and former employee of BlueHalo, stated that the company is involved in both projects. AeroVironment states it plans to commence full system testing and evaluation in the coming months. However, it notes that all of its subsystems have been tested individually, which helps to ensure a smoother transition to the complete system. Additionally, early versions of the system have undergone field tests, including soldier hands-on operation, which have been incorporated into this latest edition. by Stephen W. Miller

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