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Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer

Swarm Aero

Seattle, WA · $145k–$240k a year · Posted September 22, 2026

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  • Matlab
  • Simulink

About the job

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.

Job Description

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer

As a member of the GNC team at Swarm aero you will lead the creation of the control systems for our aircraft. You will establish the processes and tools for vehicle modeling, GNC algorithm development and be a critical component of testing and validating the aircraft.

What You'll Do:

- Algorithm Design: Developing and refining algorithms for flight control, payload management, and autonomy.

- Tools & Process Development: Enhance the design and analysis tools to improve workflow efficiency and promote quality.

- Modeling: Improve Simulation models with higher fidelity definitions to support development and testing of GNC development.

- Test and Validate GNC system in simulation, subscale, ground, and full-scale flight test.

What You've Done:

- 5+ years of relevant experience.

- Experience developing control systems for an aircraft.

- Experience using MATLAB/Simulink to develop algorithms, model dynamic systems and analyze system performance.

What Sets you Apart:

- 7+ years of experience in aircraft development.

- Worked as part of a small team and supported rapid development.

- Experience in a full aircraft development cycle ( Design - Build - Test).

Salary Range: $145,000 - $240,000+ Equity

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and trustworthy work environment, Swarm Aero conducts a thorough screening of prospective employees. Candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background verification process as a prerequisite for employment.

To conform to U.S. Government controlled technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

ITAR requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Swarm Aero is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse backgrounds and experiences and make employment decisions without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability.

What We Offer

- Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company

- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience

- Medical, dental, vision, and 401k

- PTO and paid sick leave

- Monthly wellness stipend

- Daily catered lunch (office)

- Paid parental leave

- Direct impact on a critical national security mission

- A world-class team of engineers and operators solving genuinely hard problems