{"id":692904,"url":"https://alion.io/job/zone5technologies-guidance-navigation-controls-gnc-engineer-vvi-2","title":"Guidance Navigation Controls (GNC) Engineer V/VI","company":{"id":684780,"name":"Zone 5 Technologies","domain":"zone5technologies.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/zone5technologies","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":87,"open_postings":84,"ghost_share":0.214,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":50,"computed_at":"2026-09-26T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["San Luis Obispo, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":188000,"max":216000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":216000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Simulink","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-06-08T22:31:11Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-08-21","last_verified_at":"2026-09-27T02:07:00Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":110,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":109},"description":"At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.\nWe're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.\nThe GNC Engineer V/VI is a senior-level individual contributor role responsible for leading the design, development, and optimization of advanced guidance, navigation, and control systems for UAS. This position involves driving innovation in flight controls software, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating across disciplines to deliver cutting-edge UAS technologies. Engineers in this role will contribute to strategic initiatives, ensure high performance in flight control systems, and lead efforts from concept to flight testing.\nResponsibilities:\nTechnical Leadership: Lead the design, analysis, and development of flight controls software for Group 1 to 4 UAS.\n\nSoftware Development: Architect and implement advanced software components for deployment to flight tests.\n\nSimulation Expertise: Oversee the creation and execution of high-fidelity SWIL and HWIL simulations to validate system performance.\n\nAdvanced Modeling: Develop and refine complex models in Matlab/Simulink, ensuring accuracy and performance optimization.\n\nControls Analysis: Perform advanced stability and performance analyses, providing guidance on control system optimization.\n\nMentorship: Mentor and train junior engineers, fostering technical growth and team collaboration.\n\nCross-Functional Collaboration: Drive effective communication and alignment across engineering disciplines to meet project objectives.\n\nInnovation and R&D: Lead research initiatives in advanced flight control methodologies, embedded systems, and auto-code generation.\n\nDocumentation and Review: Produce comprehensive technical documentation and lead peer review processes to ensure quality and compliance.\n\nQualifications:\nEducation: Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.\n\nExperience: 10+ years of experience in flight controls engineering, with at least 5 years in UAS applications.\n\nSkills:\nExpertise in Matlab/Simulink and auto-code generation for embedded systems.\n\nAdvanced knowledge of control theory, flight dynamics, and embedded systems.\n\nExperienced in state estimation and Kalman filtering.\nProven ability to run and analyze SWIL and HWIL simulations.\n\nStrong leadership and project management skills.\n\nEffective communication and collaboration skills.\n\nFamiliarity with Group 1-4 UAS flight controls and avionics suites.\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\nExperience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams.\n\nKnowledge of advanced control techniques and optimization algorithms.\n\nHistory of contributing to successful flight test programs and R&D projects.\n\nPay Range by Level for Fort Walton Beach, FL:\nLevel V - $188,000 - $216,000\nLevel VI - $216,000 - $250,000\nPay range for this role\n$188,000—$250,000 USD\nWhat's in it for you:\nBenefits: \nCompetitive total compensation package \nComprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.\n401k with company-match \n3 weeks of paid time off each year\n40 hours of sick time\n12 annual company holidays\nWhy Join Zone 5 Technologies?\nInnovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.\nCollaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.\nCareer Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.\nIf you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team! \nIn compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. \nZone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.","description_format":"text","description_chars":4574,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"master","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["401k plan","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":[],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-11T01:26:29Z"}],"liveness":{"score":10,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.365,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":109,"expected_fill_days":50,"reasons":["conf:0","evergreen","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-09-26T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":216000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/zone5technologies-guidance-navigation-controls-gnc-engineer-vvi-2","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/zone5technologies-guidance-navigation-controls-gnc-engineer-vvi-2.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-27T02:19:09Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2073,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":2927,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-09-28T00:00:00Z"}}}