GNC Engineer

GNC Engineer

Permanent ¦¦ Hybrid

Shannon, Co. Clare

TechHeads is currently seeking an experienced GNC Engineer with expertise in designing, implementing, and tuning control systems specifically tailored to UAV applications. This role is pivotal in developing, testing, and optimising the autonomous flight capabilities of our SonnetQuad UAV platform. The ideal candidate will bring experience with ArduPilot and Pixhawk-powered flight control systems, possess hands-on tuning experience, and have a passion for UAV technology.

Responsibilities:

• Control System Design and Implementation Develop, implement, and test advanced guidance, navigation, and control algorithms to enhance UAV stability and autonomy.
• Flight Controller Integration Configure, optimise, and troubleshoot Pixhawk-based flight control systems, ensuring precise response and reliability across all flight modes, from VTOL to fixed-wing operations.
• UAV Tuning and Calibration Conduct extensive tuning of UAV flight parameters, leveraging ArduPilot's Mission Planner tools to optimise performance for BVLOS missions and autonomous operations.
• Simulation and Analysis Use simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, and ArduPilot SITL) to validate control algorithms, conducting hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to refine system accuracy.
• Documentation and Compliance Develop and maintain technical documentation, including design specifications, flight test procedures, and compliance reports.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
• Strong proficiency in control system design and tuning for UAVs.
• Experience with ArduPilot, Pixhawk, or similar autopilot systems.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, and programming languages such as Python or C++ for control algorithm development.
• Demonstrated experience in simulation, HIL testing, and flight data analysis, with an understanding of continuous integration and version control.

Desirable:

• Hands-on experience with BVLOS UAV missions and Tilt-Rotor control systems.
• Knowledge of airspace regulations and experience with UAV certification processes.
• Familiarity with DevOps, CI/CD, and version control tools to streamline integration and testing workflows.