We’re partnering with an early-stage European defence‑tech company developing autonomous robotic systems for real‑world operational environments.
The team is building next-generation autonomy technology, with a current focus on aerial robotics and counter‑drone systems. Their work combines advanced algorithms, robotics, perception, control and physical hardware to create autonomous systems capable of operating reliably in complex and dynamic environments.
We’re looking for an engineer with a strong mathematical and algorithmic background who wants to take ownership of the guidance and control algorithms behind autonomous robotic systems.
This is an opportunity to work on challenging engineering problems where mathematical models and algorithms must ultimately perform on real hardware
Work on trajectory calculation, planning and optimization, accounting for system dynamics and operational constraints.
Optimal control: Develop and implement control algorithms using classical or modern approaches, translating mathematical models into practical solutions.
Contribute to algorithms that estimate the system's state and support reliable guidance and control using available sensor information.
Build, test and refine algorithms in simulation before integrating and validating them on physical robotic platforms.
Collaborate with robotics, perception and embedded engineers to ensure algorithms operate reliably as part of the wider autonomous system.
Take responsibility for your algorithms from mathematical formulation and prototyping through implementation, testing and continuous improvement.
Strong background in applied mathematics, control theory, algorithms or a closely related engineering discipline.
Experience developing guidance, control, trajectory planning or optimization algorithms.




Solid understanding of optimal control and the mathematical principles behind dynamic systems.
Strong programming skills in Python, with the ability to translate mathematical concepts into working algorithms.
Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, C++ or similar engineering and scientific computing tools.
Ability to work independently on complex mathematical and engineering problems.
Comfortable working in English within a multidisciplinary engineering team.
We’re open to engineers from different backgrounds, including robotics, aerospace, control engineering, applied mathematics and physics. Experience with UAVs, drones or other autonomous vehicles.
Background in Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC).
Experience with Model Predictive Control (MPC), trajectory optimization or advanced control methods.
Experience with C++ and real‑time software development.
Experience with simulation, hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing or sim‑to‑real development.
Previous experience in aerospace, defence or other safety‑critical engineering environments.
Analytical and pragmatic — you can move between mathematical theory, software implementation and practical engineering constraints.
Collaborative — you enjoy working with engineers across robotics, perception, embedded systems and hardware.
You’ll be joining a small, highly technical team at a stage where individual engineers can have a meaningful influence on the product, architecture and technical direction.
The opportunity is to take ownership of challenging guidance and control problems, working across the full development cycle — from mathematical formulation and algorithm design to software implementation and real‑world validation.
You’ll collaborate closely with engineers across robotics, AI, perception and embedded systems, helping build European autonomous defence technology with real operational applications.
Guidance & Control Algorithms Engineer Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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📌 Robotics & Control Engineer (Madrid)
🏢 Flyer One Ventures
📍 Madrid