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Aviation Navigation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Navigation Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Define fault detection and exclusion frameworks to support safety-critical applications (aviation ... engineering, ensuring navigation requirements flow down correctly to flight software and hardware ...

Sr. Navigation Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Define fault detection and exclusion frameworks to support safety-critical applications (aviation ... engineering, ensuring navigation requirements flow down correctly to flight software and hardware ...

Satellite Systems Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Tetra Tech AMT is looking for a Satellite Systems Engineer or Satellite Communications Engineer to ... Familiarity with aviation navigation systems Salary: $150,000 to $180,000 annually. Compensation is ...

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Aviation Navigation Engineer information

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$67K

$88.7K

$97.5K

How much do aviation navigation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for aviation navigation engineer in the United States is $88,722.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,000.00 and $93,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an aviation navigation engineer?

Aviation Navigation Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and maintain the systems that guide aircraft safely from one location to another. They work on technologies such as GPS, radar, and communication systems, ensuring accurate navigation and compliance with aviation safety standards. Their work supports air traffic control and helps to minimize risks during all phases of flight. They often collaborate with pilots, air traffic controllers, and other engineers to optimize navigation performance and troubleshoot technical issues.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aviation navigation engineer?

To thrive as an Aviation Navigation Engineer, a strong background in aerospace engineering, mathematics, and navigation systems is essential, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with avionics software, GPS and inertial navigation systems, and certifications such as FAA or EASA approvals are typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help professionals collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and address complex technical challenges. These skills ensure the safe, efficient design and integration of navigation systems in compliance with strict aviation standards.

What are some common challenges faced by aviation navigation engineers when integrating new navigation systems into existing aircraft?

Aviation Navigation Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new navigation systems, such as ensuring compatibility with legacy avionics, meeting rigorous safety and regulatory standards, and minimizing aircraft downtime during upgrades. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—including software developers, systems engineers, and certification authorities—is essential to address technical and compliance hurdles. Staying updated on evolving industry standards and emerging technologies also plays a critical role in successful system integration.

What is the difference between Aviation Navigation Engineer vs Air Traffic Controller?

AspectAviation Navigation EngineerAir Traffic Controller
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in navigation systemsFAA or equivalent certification, training in air traffic control
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and maintenance of navigation systems, often in offices or labsControl towers, airports, and radar facilities overseeing live air traffic
Employer & IndustryAerospace companies, defense contractors, aviation authoritiesAirports, airlines, government agencies

While both roles are vital to aviation safety, Aviation Navigation Engineers focus on designing and maintaining navigation systems, whereas Air Traffic Controllers manage live air traffic to ensure safe and efficient flights.

What are popular job titles related to Aviation Navigation Engineer jobs?

For Aviation Navigation Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Aviation Navigation Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,722 per year, or $42.7 per hour.

Flight Navigation Engineer

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Reliable Robotics
Aviation • 51 - 200 employees

Other

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

We're building safety-enhancing technology for aviation that will save lives. Automated aviation systems will enable a future where air transportation is safer, more convenient and fundamentally transformative to the way goods - and eventually people - move around the planet. We are a team of mission-driven engineers with experience across aerospace, robotics and self-driving cars working to make this future a reality.

As a Flight Navigation Engineer at Reliable Robotics, you will be part of the Guidance, Navigation and Control Team. You will contribute to the navigation system design, implementation, and testing, and your work will enable the integration of uncrewed aircraft into the National Airspace System.

Responsibilities

  • Define navigation system requirements in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders

  • Analyze, source, and select sensor solutions for use in the navigation system

  • Develop sensor models in simulation for evaluation of the navigation system

  • Implement state estimation algorithms in flight software

  • Establish test methods to ensure compliance with requirements, best practices, and regulatory standards

  • Evaluate the navigation system via simulation, hardware-in-loop, and flight test cases

Basic Success Criteria

  • BS in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or similar advanced degree

  • Technical expertise in one of the following areas: Kalman filtering; GNSS navigation; inertial navigation; or alternative navigation technologies

  • 3+ years of professional experience developing and testing navigation algorithms

  • Professional experience with developing C/C++ flight software and Python data reduction & analysis

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Criteria

  • MS in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or similar advanced degree

  • Technical expertise in one of the following areas: probability theory; fault detection and exclusion (FDE); sensor error/noise modeling; or GPS-denied navigation

  • Experience developing software for safety critical applications

  • Experience with navigation system certification

We are building high-integrity, safety-critical systems for automated flight, and your role is critical to what we do at Reliable Robotics. With the support of the whole team, you will contribute to a novel navigation system that drives our mission forward.

Must be willing to travel 10% of the time. This position is based at our facility in Mountain View, California.

This position requires access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls. An offer of employment will be contingent upon the applicant's capacity to perform in compliance with U.S. export control laws.

All applicants are asked to provide documentation that legally establishes status as a U.S. person or non-U.S. person (and nationalities in the case of a non-U.S. person). Where the applicant is not a U.S. person, meaning not a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident, (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. * 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. * 1158, or not otherwise permitted to access the export-controlled technology without U.S. government authorization, the Company reserves the right not to apply for an export license for such applicants whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code requires authorization and may decline to proceed with the application process and any offer of employment on that basis.

At Reliable Robotics, our goal is to be a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, ancestry, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability or medical conditions, national origin, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other basis covered by applicable law. All employment and promotion is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to work@reliable.co