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Manager, GNC and Test Engineering

Rainmaker· Technology
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Salt Lake City, UT$145k - $175kfull-timePosted 3w ago

About the role

Manager responsible for end-to-end GNC and test engineering for Rainmaker’s unmanned aerial systems, including propulsion/environmental modeling, GNC tuning, flight testing, and leading the testing/QA function. Requires hands-on flight test experience from concept to qualified vehicle and ability to deploy to field.

Responsibilities

  • Platform Technical Direction: Guide the technical direction of our UAS platforms end-to-end, including requirements setting, configuration definition, aircraft design, build, first flight, and qualification.
  • Propulsion & Environmental Performance Modeling: Build and maintain performance, sizing, and stability models to translate operating conditions into motor RPM and torque requirements, driving propulsion and powertrain component selection.
  • Component Qualification: Evaluate and qualify motors, propellers, ESCs, and battery systems against endurance, thermal, and margin requirements.
  • GNC Ownership & Tuning: Own GNC across rotorcraft and fixed-wing platforms, including control architecture, gain tuning, estimator configuration, and sensor selection for reliable flight envelope performance.
  • Flight Test: Design and execute flight test campaigns, write test plans/cards, instrumentation, risk mitigation, envelope expansion, log analysis, and reporting results to design team.
  • Testing & QA Leadership: Lead and mentor the testing and quality assurance team, owning QA processes and standards across flight test and vehicle qualification.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent demonstrated experience.
  • 5+ years developing unmanned aircraft, with at least one platform taken from blank sheet to flying, qualified vehicle.
  • Experience with aircraft sizing and performance analysis (energy budgets, hover/cruise power, disk loading, endurance and range).
  • Ability to model motor RPM/torque against environmental conditions and translate to propulsion sizing decisions.
  • Hands-on GNC experience, including PID tuning on multirotor or fixed-wing aircraft, with reliable flight in demanding conditions.
  • Deep working knowledge of PX4 or ArduPilot.
  • Experience writing/executing structured flight test campaigns, including envelope expansion on new airframes.
  • Experience leading/building testing and QA function or team.
  • FAA Part 107 certificate; experience operating under waivers and BVLOS preferred.
  • Willingness to deploy to the field for extended periods, including OCONUS.

Skills

Required:GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control)Propulsion modelingFlight testing

Benefits

  • Meaningful stock options
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with employer matching
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Paid parental leave for both parents
  • Relocation assistance for eligible roles
Last updated Oct 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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About Rainmaker

Make rain. Make snow. Make droughts end.

Rainmaker uses drone-based cloud seeding to increase rainfall, restore ecosystems, and fight drought. Learn how our scalable weather technology brings water to the West.

cloud seeding companyweather modificationdrone cloud seedingrainfall enhancementdrought solutions
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