GNC Engineer

Valinor is a new type of defense and government tech company focused on solving the problems others don't. Our unique model of centralized go-to-market and decentralized engineering allows us to move with unparalleled efficiency to identify unmet needs, build right-sized solutions, and get products where they matter most - in the hands of users. Unlike others in the space, who focus on the flashy problems, Valinor exists to solve the quiet, unaddressed problems-the small but significant ones that lead to cracks in the country's strength, stability, and security.

Backed by General Catalyst, Founders Fund, and Friends & Family Capital, Valinor was founded in 2024 and has established strategic partnerships with Palantir, Anduril, and Helsing. We are building the dream team, and we want you on it.

About The Role

Valinor Condor is building the next generation of autonomous VTOL aircraft for defense and enterprise applications. We're a small, technical team moving fast — our vehicle is flying, our customers are real, and the work spans simulation to real life.

We're seeking a Flight Controls & GNC Engineer to own the guidance, navigation, and control stack on our VTOL platform. This is a senior individual contributor role with direct ownership of flight performance — from control law architecture to day-of-demo parameter tuning.

You'll work closely with the Chief Engineer and a small cross-functional team. You'll be our technical authority on everything from transition logic and rate controller design to aero model development and stability analysis.

What You'll Do

Flight Controls & Tuning

• Own the full GNC stack on our drone: PX4 code, VTOL transition logic, fixed-wing control laws (TECS, NPFG, attitude/rate loops), multicopter controller

• Design, implement, and iterate on control laws; translate theoretical controller designs into flight-validated parameters, and test them in the field to tune the aircraft

• Conduct structured flight test campaigns — define test cards, instrument logging, execute in-field, and close the loop with data-driven analysis

• Debug flight anomalies from logs: identify root cause across sensor, estimator, controller, and actuator layers

Dynamics & Aero Modeling

• Build and maintain the flight dynamics model; extract and validate aerodynamic coefficients from flight data and CFD outputs

• Write technically precise scopes of work for CFD contractors; review and integrate their outputs into the aero model

• Develop and maintain a Simulink-based 6DOF simulation environment for control law prototyping, linearization, and stability margin analysis — de-risking parameter changes before they go to hardware

Systems & Integration

• Work with the software team on autopilot integration, sensor fusion, and estimator configuration (EKF tuning, IMU/GPS/baro)

• Support customer demonstrations — ensure the vehicle performs reliably and gracefully under operational conditions

What We're Looking For

Required

• 4+ years of hands-on flight controls or GNC engineering experience on real flying hardware

• Deep familiarity with PX4 (or comparable open-source autopilot) — you've tuned it, debugged it, and modified it

• Experience with fixed-wing or VTOL platforms

• Ability to read and interpret flight logs to diagnose control system issues (PX4 log analysis, PlotJuggler)

• Familiarity with aerodynamic modeling pipelines (CFD output → stability derivatives → flight dynamics model)

• Scripting ability in Python for log analysis, simulation, and tooling; MATLAB/Simulink experience for control design and 6DOF modeling is equally valued

• Strong fundamentals: classical and modern control theory, rigid body dynamics, state estimation

• Comfortable in the field — you've executed flight tests, not just designed them on paper

Strongly Preferred

• Experience with TECS, NPFG, or L1 guidance implementations

• Exposure to EKF-based state estimators (GPS/IMU/baro fusion)

• Experience with MAVLink or similar UAV communication protocols

• Scripting ability in Python for log analysis, simulation, and tooling; MATLAB/Simulink experience for control design and 6DOF modeling is equally valued

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with NDAA compliance requirements for UAS hardware

• Experience supporting operational customer demonstrations or field deployments

What Valinor Offers

• Competitive salary, equity packages, and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance - fully covered for employees, 401K, development stipends, among others.

• Unlimited PTO and two-week company holiday at the end of every calendar year.

• We are a pro-mental health and pro-family company - we actually encourage employees to spend time with themselves and their families. Valinor also provides fertility benefits to those just beginning that journey.

• Fun work environment - we like to laugh and take care of each other, but we also deeply respect the mission in front of us.

This role requires the candidate to be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance preferred, but not required.

Valinor is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Valinor team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense and government technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you!