Guidance Navigation Controls (GNC) Engineer or Principal Guidance Navigation Controls (GNC) Engineer

Posted 7 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
El Segundo, CA, USA
In-Office
92K-171K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Design, develop, verify, and test guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for manned and unmanned aircraft. Build control laws, dynamic simulation models, autonomy functions, and hardware-in-the-loop environments. Analyze flight performance, stability, flying qualities, and test data; support flight testing and technical design reviews. The role requires experience with aircraft flight dynamics, control systems, MATLAB, Simulink, C/C++, Python, and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance and SAP access.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Guidance Navigation Controls (GNC) Engineer or a Principal Guidance Navigation Controls (GNC) Engineer to join our team of qualified individuals within our South Bay Vehicle Engineering organization.  This position is located at El Segundo, CA.

The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations and collaborative/team settings across all levels. This is a dynamic organization involved in deploying forward-leaning avionics, guidance, navigation, and control systems for developmental concepts for air vehicles, weapons, and many more platforms.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Support research and development of flight control algorithms for manned and unmanned air vehicles.
  • Design, develop, implement, verify, and test algorithms, software, and simulation tools to perform guidance, navigation and control (GNC) of autonomous unmanned aircraft.
  • Develop control laws to meet air vehicle performance, flying qualities, and stability margin requirements both on ground and in flight.
  • Design outer and inner loop control laws and associated logic and autonomy functions.
  • Develop air vehicle system linear and non-linear dynamic simulation models and integrate models into software and hardware-in-the-loop simulation environments.
  • Perform performance and flying qualities analysis.
  • Support non-linear simulation and hardware-in-the-loop lab testing.
  • Support flight test activities and analyze air vehicle flight test data.
  • Develop analysis to support design reviews at different stages in a development program, such as PDR, CDR, etc.

This position may be filled at either the GNC Engineer level OR Principal GNC Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications for GNC Engineer:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 2 years of related experience; OR a Master’s degree in a related STEM discipline with 0 years of experience.
  • Working knowledge of or experience with fixed-wing aircraft flight dynamics.
  • Working knowledge of or experience with linear control principles and tools to design feedback control systems.
  • Working knowledge of or experience with analyzing non-linear simulations of aircraft closed-loop dynamics.
  • Working knowledge of or experience with autopilot functions.
  • Working knowledge of or experience with outer loop control law performance requirements.
  • Experience using MATLAB to create, process, analyze, and visually represent data.
  • Experience using Simulink to model dynamic systems.
  • Familiarity with autocoding Simulink models
  • Working knowledge of logic, modes, and states for autonomous aircraft.
  • Familiarity with C/C++ programming.
  • Familiarity with Python programming.
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs

Basic Qualifications for Principal Guidance Navigation Controls Engineer:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 5 years of related experience; OR a Master’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 3 years of experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 1 year of experience.
  • Working knowledge of or experience with fixed-wing aircraft flight dynamics.
  • Working knowledge of or experience with linear control principles and tools to design feedback control systems.
  • Working knowledge of or experience with analyzing non-linear simulations of aircraft closed-loop dynamics.
  • Working knowledge of or experience with autopilot functions.
  • Working knowledge of or experience with outer loop control law performance requirements.
  • Experience using MATLAB to create, process, analyze, and visually represent data.
  • Experience using Simulink to model dynamic systems.
  • Familiarity with autocoding Simulink models
  • Working knowledge of logic, modes, and states for autonomous aircraft.
  • Familiarity with C/C++ programming.
  • Familiarity with Python programming.
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Current active in-scope US Government Secret security clearance or higher, with the ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
  • Experience designing control laws for fixed wing aircraft
  • Familiarity with MIL-STD-1797 flying qualities requirements
  • Familiarity with with autonomy algorithms (Autonomous Taxi/ Take Off And Landing, etc.) for driving control laws.
  • Familiarity with Simulink Stateflow Modeling
  • Experience with Lua Script programming.
  • Working knowledge of SAE-94910 performance requirements.

Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 2 years of related experience for GNC Engineer; or master's degree with 0 years of experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 5 years of related experience for Principal GNC Engineer; or master's degree with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year.
  • Working knowledge of fixed-wing aircraft flight dynamics.
  • Working knowledge of linear control principles and feedback control system design tools.
  • Working knowledge of analyzing nonlinear simulations of aircraft closed-loop dynamics.
  • Working knowledge of autopilot functions.
  • Working knowledge of outer-loop control law performance requirements.
  • Experience using MATLAB for data creation, processing, analysis, and visualization.
  • Experience using Simulink to model dynamic systems.
  • Familiarity with autocoding Simulink models.
  • Working knowledge of logic, modes, and states for autonomous aircraft.
  • Familiarity with C or C++ programming.
  • Familiarity with Python programming.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance and Special Access Program access.
  • Active in-scope U.S. Government Secret clearance or higher.
  • Experience designing control laws for fixed-wing aircraft.
  • Familiarity with MIL-STD-1797 flying qualities requirements.
  • Familiarity with autonomy algorithms for autonomous taxi, takeoff, and landing.
  • Familiarity with Simulink Stateflow modeling.
  • Experience with Lua scripting.
  • Working knowledge of SAE-94910 performance requirements.

Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.

  • Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
  • Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.

Northrop Grumman Insights

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

What We Do

We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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