Navigation Lead Staff GNC Engineer

Posted 5 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
2 Locations
In-Office
177K-266K Annually
Expert/Leader
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Leads a team of navigation engineers developing, integrating, and testing advanced Vehicle Management System hardware and software. Responsibilities include requirements management, navigation system design and evaluation, supplier and cross-functional coordination, technical reviews, test planning and execution, program scheduling, and technical guidance. The role requires expertise in GPS, inertial navigation, GPS/INS, anti-jam integration, MATLAB, aerospace interfaces, and DoD Top Secret and SAP/PAR clearances. This is a full-time onsite position in Rancho Bernardo or Palmdale, California, with up to 25% travel.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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 Navigation Lead Staff GNC engineer to join and lead our team of Navigation Engineers. This role can be filled in Rancho Bernardo, CA or Palmdale, CA, both are onsite.


The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct. In this role you will lead cross-functional engineering teams to design, integrate, and test advanced Vehicle Management System hardware and software in a dynamic aerospace environment. Partner with suppliers, chief engineers, and IPT leads to translate complex system requirements into robust navigation solutions, while providing technical guidance and building a high-performing, collaborative team.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead a team of 3-5 engineers supporting the technical development, integration and testing of advanced Vehicle Management System software and hardware components.
  • Interface with strategy supplier partners, coordinate with programs chief engineers and IPT Leads to ensure technical requirements are properly incorporated into design solutions.
  • Evaluate Navigation systems, products, components, and applications by designing and testing products.
  • Understand all system requirements, develop statements of work, specifications and interface control documents, prepare, monitor and update program schedules, conduct and participate in all related design reviews, and provide technical guidance to the cross-functional team.
  • Collaborate with team members of other functional teams as well as working with the program to meet the customers’ needs
  • Communicate, collaborate, and facilitate the building of a strong team
  • Perform in a dynamic, fast paced, aerospace team environment
  • Demonstrate technical proficiency in analytical thinking, problem solving skills, and ability to interface across the different engineering teams.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.


Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 12 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 10 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience.
  • Experience with requirements management, system integration, test plan development, and test execution of a navigation system throughout the entire development, demonstration, and production phases.
  • Proficient with MATLAB for data analysis purposes
  • Preparing, presenting, and leading discussion of navigation system engineering materials during formal program reviews
  • General understanding of MIL-STD-1553, RS-232, RS-422, Ethernet
  • Good understanding of the GPS system, the GPS Signal in Space characteristics, DGPS systems, inertial sensors, GPS/INS, GPS receiver design, GPS Anti-Jam integration
  • Ability to obtain a DOD Top Secret clearance and Special Program Access (SAP/PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
  • Active DoD Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
  • Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
  • Navigation System Integration Experience
  • Experience leading a technical team including estimating, assigning, and tracking work
  • Supplier management experience
  • Requirements development experience
  • Requirements verification testing experience
  • Experience in development and maintenance of interface control documents
  • Extensive experience with technical analysis tools such as Matlab or Python
  • Proficiency with test equipment (oscilloscopes, signal generators, signal analyzers, multi-meters) experience
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management, and translate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

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 STEM discipline and 12 years of related engineering experience, or master's degree and 10 years, or PhD and 8 years
  • Experience with navigation system requirements management, system integration, test plan development, and test execution across development, demonstration, and production phases
  • Proficiency with MATLAB for data analysis
  • Experience preparing, presenting, and leading discussions of navigation system engineering materials during formal program reviews
  • Understanding of MIL-STD-1553, RS-232, RS-422, and Ethernet
  • Understanding of GPS, GPS Signal in Space characteristics, DGPS, inertial sensors, GPS/INS, GPS receiver design, and GPS anti-jam integration
  • Active DoD Top Secret clearance with a recent background investigation or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program access through SAP/PAR
  • Current applicable Special Access Program clearance
  • Navigation system integration experience
  • Experience leading technical teams, including estimating, assigning, and tracking work
  • Supplier management experience
  • Requirements development and verification testing experience
  • Experience developing and maintaining interface control documents
  • Extensive experience with MATLAB or Python technical analysis tools
  • Experience with oscilloscopes, signal generators, signal analyzers, and multimeters
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder communication skills

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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