Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer

Regent craft

10+ Years | North Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States (On Site) | Full Time | 4 months ago

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Job Summary

REGENT is revolutionizing regional transportation with its seagliders, which combine the speed of aircraft with the low operating costs of boats. As a Senior GNC Engineer, you will be responsible for the seaglider's flight-control logic, ensuring stability, responsiveness, and safety during various flight phases. This includes crafting control laws for transitions, take-off, touchdown, and handling in challenging conditions. You will validate designs through high-fidelity simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and sea trials on prototypes. The role involves developing fault-tolerant control strategies, robust state-estimation loops, mentoring junior engineers, and influencing the flight-controls roadmap towards certification.

Must Have

Own vehicle control laws for safety and responsiveness.
Apply safety-critical rigor and develop test plans.
Use and extend high-fidelity simulation environments.
Integrate multisensor navigation and develop state estimation algorithms.
Tune control algorithms with real-world data.
Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams.
Lead test events for flight control validation.
10+ years of experience in control systems for complex vehicles or 5+ years with a Ph.D.
Strong theoretical foundation in control theory.
Proven design of real-world control systems and state-estimation filters.
Experience designing control algorithms and simulations in MATLAB/Simulink.
Demonstrated safety & quality mindset in critical programs.
Collaborative team player with effective communication.
Creative problem solver for complex challenges.
Adaptable and agile in a fast-paced environment.
Innovative mindset with a passion for technology.

Good to Have

Ph.D. or research in nonlinear, adaptive, robust, or hybrid control.
Contribution to ARP4754A, DO-178C, or DO-254 certification artifacts.
CFD-coupled control design or ground-effect / hydrofoil dynamics experience.
Flight-test or sea-trial planning and execution.

Perks & Benefits

Competitive compensation with robust equity incentive plan.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (100% premium coverage).
401(k) with company matching.
Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks.
Relocation packages available.
Daily, free catered lunches.
Learning & professional development opportunities.

Job Description

At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before.

Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.

Role Overview

As a Senior GNC Engineer, you will own the seaglider’s flight-control logic - everything that keeps the craft stable, responsive, and safe as it transitions from displacement to hydrofoil to wing-in-ground-effect flight. You’ll craft control laws that harmonize aerodynamic and hydrodynamic surfaces, manage take-off and touchdown on water, and ensure graceful handling in gusty, wave-affected conditions. You’ll validate your designs in high-fidelity simulation, prove them using hardware-in-the-loop, and refine them on both sub-scale and full-scale prototypes during sea trials. Beyond the technical execution, you’ll shape the future of maritime mobility by developing fault-tolerant control strategies and robust state-estimation loops for a new class of vehicle. You’ll mentor junior engineers, influence our flight-controls roadmap, and help guide our path to certification.

As part of the Software Team, you’ll be joining a group of driven, collaborative, and talented engineers who take pride in solving complex technical challenges and making an impact as a team. We hold a high bar for engineering rigor, move fast, think boldly, and rely on our teamwork to push boundaries and and turn breakthrough ideas into real-world technology.

If you’re energized by working at the intersection of cutting-edge innovation, real-world impact, and hands-on engineering, you’ll be in the right place - and we’d be thrilled to have you on the team!

What You'll Do

Own vehicle control laws: Design and implement control laws for stabilization, mode transitions, envelope protection, and emergency fallbacks that keep the seaglider safe and responsive across all phases of flight.
Apply safety-critical rigor: Define and trace requirements, lead design/code reviews, and develop rigorous test plans including SIL and HIL to meet certification-grade robustness.
Simulate, analyze, refine: Use and extend high-fidelity simulation environments (MATLAB/Simulink or custom frameworks) to design and validate GNC algorithms. Perform both linear and nonlinear analysis to evaluate performance and iterate with confidence.
Integrate multisensor navigation: Develop and optimize state estimation algorithms that integrate GNSS/INS, radar altimeter, and other sensor inputs for reliable positioning in challenging maritime environments.
Tune with real-world data: Leverage flight test and sea trial data to iteratively refine control algorithms and close the loop between simulation and reality.
Collaborate across disciplines: Work closely with aero, hydro, mechanical, and systems teams to align on actuator specs, control-surface design, and verification strategies.
Lead test events: Plan, execute, and analyze full-scale test events to validate and mature flight controls, driving toward a certifiable and production-ready system.

What You'll Bring

Proven track record of designing and flight-testing control systems for aircraft, UAS, or similarly complex vehicles, with 10+ years of professional experience - or 5+ years with a relevant Ph.D.
Deep passion for advancing control in multi-modal, high-coupling environments where safety, stability, and performance must coexist.
Strong theoretical foundation in control theory, plus hands-on application to real systems
Proven design of real-world control systems and state-estimation filters.
Experience designing control algorithms and simulations in MATLAB/Simulink
Demonstrated safety & quality mindset in regulated or mission-critical programs.

Bonus Experience

Ph.D. or research experience in nonlinear, adaptive, robust, or hybrid control.
Direct contribution to ARP4754A, DO-178C, or DO-254 certification artifacts.
CFD-coupled control design or ground-effect / hydrofoil dynamics experience.
Flight-test or sea-trial planning and execution

Who We're Looking For

Collaborative Team Player: You believe that great things happen when teams work together. You communicate effectively and collaborate with engineers, stakeholders, and other cross-functional teams to align on goals and move projects forward. You bring people together, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and moving towards a shared vision.
Creative Problem Solver: You thrive on tackling complex challenges and finding innovative solutions. Whether you're orchestrating seamless mode transitions, resolving nonlinear control issues, or fine-tuning state estimators in real-world sea conditions, you approach each problem with creativity and rigor. You’re able to address immediate needs while also planning for future scalability and efficiency.
Adaptable & Agile: In a fast-paced, ever-evolving startup environment, you quickly adapt to changing priorities and requirements. You approach challenges with a calm, resilient mindset, and know how to pivot and adjust your approach as needed, ensuring that progress continues without missing a beat.
Innovative Mindset: You’re driven by curiosity and a passion for technology. You’re passionate about driving continuous improvement, embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and team performance.

What We Offer

Competitive compensation including a robust equity incentive plan.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance - we cover 100% of your premiums.
401(k) with company matching, so you can plan for the future.
Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks.
Relocation packages available for those moving to join our team.
Daily, free catered lunches
Learning & professional development opportunities

If you’re ready to take on an exciting challenge, grow with us, and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, but you see yourself contributing to our mission, we encourage you to apply! We value diverse skillsets and experiences and believe in the potential of passionate individuals to make a big impact.

Equal Opportunity Employer

REGENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.