A
Senior UAV Control Systems Engineer at Avol (Brooklyn)
Avol· Brooklyn·
Role details
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full-Time
Level
Senior
Job description
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and tune control algorithms for autonomous UAV operations in both multicopter and fixed-wing modes.
- Develop and maintain SITL/HITL test environments using PX4, ROS2, and Gazebo to simulate real-world flight conditions and edge cases.
- Integrate and configure flight controllers across a range of airframes, including VTOLs and hybrid platforms.
- Contribute to the development of vision-based detect-and-avoid systems for autonomous navigation in GPS-denied or cluttered environments.
- Analyze flight logs and onboard data to debug and optimize flight performance and reliability.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, perception, and software teams to deliver robust, real-world-ready autonomy. Required Qualifications
- M.S. in Controls Engineering (or similar) or equivalent practical experience
- 3-6+ years of experience in UAV development with a focus on autonomy and control systems.
- Technical knowledge of fault-tolerance in flight control systems, navigation systems, and contingency management
- Strong experience with PX4 flight stack, MAVLink protocol, and flight controller integration.
- Proficient in ROS2, C++, Python, and simulation tools such as Gazebo.
- Experience with matlab/simulink -> code generation pipeline
- Demonstrated expertise in tuning control loops (attitude, position, rate) and implementing onboard autonomy.
- Familiarity with aircraft dynamics, stability and control fundamentals
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with both multicopter (MC) and fixed-wing (FW) platforms, including hybrid VTOL systems.
- Familiarity with tailsitter VTOLs, transition dynamics, and tuning for mixed flight modes.
- Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson or similar onboard compute platforms for real-time vision.
- Knowledge of SLAM, optical flow, or visual-inertial odometry for navigation.
- Understanding of regulatory constraints for autonomous and BVLOS UAV operations.
- Familiarity with simulation methods, particularly medium to large scale monte carlo testing
What We Offer
- A collaborative, technically deep team passionate about autonomous aviation.
- Opportunities to work at the edge of UAV technology, from R&D to real-world deployment.
- Flexible remote work options, competitive compensation, and equity participation.
Why work at Avol
- Small, mission-driven team (12 employees) working on high-impact aerospace and healthcare logistics.
- Remote-friendly with hybrid options in Brooklyn, NY (Newlab at Navy Yard) and St. Louis, MO (HQ).
- Cutting-edge technology: autonomous flight, electric aircraft, real-time telemetry, cold chain engineering.
- Culture of speed and purpose – every delivery directly impacts patient outcomes (transplants, trauma, cellular therapies).
- Recent awards and strong investor backing signal growth trajectory and market validation.