Control Systems Engineer

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary AeroVironment’s Directed Energy Systems team is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support the development, integration, and fielding of advanced directed energy and precision tracking systems. The Controls Engineer will design, develop, model, simulate, and test control algorithms for complex electro-mechanical systems requiring high-precision pointing, tracking, stabilization, and real-time performance. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in motion control, guidance and navigation, robotics, signal processing, data analysis, and modeling and simulation. This position will work within a multidisciplinary engineering organization spanning controls, software, electrical, mechanical, optical, systems, and test engineering to transition advanced technologies from development through production and operational deployment. Position Responsibilities Design, develop, analyze, and validate closed-loop control systems for precision pointing, tracking, stabilization, and motion-control applications. Develop control algorithms for high-performance gimbaled, robotic, and electro-mechanical systems. Apply classical and modern control techniques including feedback control, state-space methods, filtering, estimation, system identification, and trajectory generation. Support guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithm development and integration. Develop models and simulations of dynamic systems to evaluate system performance, control-loop behavior, disturbances, and design trades. Perform signal processing and sensor-data analysis to characterize system performance and identify opportunities for improvement. Develop algorithms for sensor fusion, state estimation, tracking, filtering, and control. Analyze large datasets collected during laboratory, field, and flight testing using MATLAB and Python. Develop automated analysis tools and visualization methods to rapidly evaluate system and subsystem performance. Perform system identification and develop mathematical models using experimental test data. Translate system-level performance requirements into control-system requirements and design parameters. Support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), laboratory, and field testing. Troubleshoot complex interactions between sensors, actuators, embedded software, communications, and mechanical systems. Work closely with software engineers to transition algorithms and models into real-time embedded implementations. Support design reviews, technical reviews, test readiness reviews, and customer demonstrations. Document control-system architectures, algorithms, models, test results, and performance assessments. Support integration and field testing of Directed Energy systems at government and customer test locations. Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Competencies) Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Controls Engineering, or a related technical discipline. 5-10 years of relevant engineering experience in controls, robotics, GNC, autonomous systems, precision motion systems, or similar applications. Demonstrated experience designing and analyzing closed-loop control systems. Experience with precision motion control, including servo systems, motors, actuators, encoders, and related feedback devices. Experience with one or more of the following: Guidance, navigation, and control Robotics and autonomous systems Precision pointing and tracking Gimbal control and stabilization State estimation and sensor fusion Signal processing System identification Modeling and simulation Strong experience using MATLAB for modeling, simulation, algorithm development, and data analysis. Strong experience using Python for engineering analysis, modeling, automation, and visualization. Ability to analyze test data, identify system-level performance limitations, and develop engineering solutions. Strong understanding of dynamic systems, feedback control theory, linear algebra, probability/statistics, and numerical methods. Experience working across software, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering disciplines. Ability to support laboratory and field testing of complex hardware/software systems. Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance required. Must be a U.S. citizen due to security clearance requirements. Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies Active U.S. Government security clearance highly desired. Master’s degree in Controls, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline. Experience with directed energy, counter-UAS, missile defense, precision tracking, or advanced weapon systems. Experience developing controls for high-bandwidth electro-optical or gimbaled systems. Experience with target tracking, image-based tracking, or electro-optical/infrared sensor systems. Experience with Kalman filtering, Extended Kalman Filters, sensor fusion, and state estimation. Experience with hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop simulation environments. Experience transitioning MATLAB/Python algorithms into C/C++ or real-time embedded software. Familiarity with real-time operating systems, embedded processors, FPGAs, or distributed control architectures. Experience conducting system identification using laboratory or field-test data. Experience developing Monte Carlo simulations and conducting system-level performance analysis. Familiarity with defense acquisition, system qualification, and operational test environments. Key Technical Skills Controls: Motion Control • Servo Control • Feedback Control • State-Space Control • System Identification • Stabilization • Trajectory Generation GNC & Robotics: Guidance & Navigation • State Estimation • Sensor Fusion • Robotics • Precision Pointing • Target Tracking Analysis: Signal Processing • Data Analysis • Modeling & Simulation • Monte Carlo Analysis • Performance Characterization Tools: MATLAB • Python Physical Demands Ability to work in an office, laboratory, and production environment (constant) Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (frequent) Clearance Level Secret The salary range for this role is: $111,500 - $170,000 AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements. Benefits : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: . We also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us. Principals only need apply. NO agencies please. About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status. ITAR