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Contract Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer Jobs

VA

$106K - $146K/yr

Senior Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer Northern Virginia / Washington, DC Area An innovative space technology company developing next-generation space-based energy infrastructure is ...

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How much do contract guidance navigation control gnc engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract guidance navigation control gnc engineer in the United States is $108,638.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by a Contract Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer, and how can they be addressed?

Contract GNC Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating their work with multidisciplinary teams, meeting tight project deadlines, and adapting to varying client requirements. To address these, effective communication and collaboration with software, hardware, and systems engineers are essential. Staying current with industry standards and maintaining a flexible approach can help manage shifting project scopes. Additionally, strong time management and documentation practices are crucial for delivering quality results within contractual timelines.

What are Contract Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineers?

Contract Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and maintain systems that guide, navigate, and control vehicles such as aircraft, spacecraft, or missiles. Working on a contract basis, they often contribute to projects in aerospace or defense industries, ensuring that vehicles can follow precise flight paths and respond correctly to changing conditions. Their responsibilities include developing algorithms, integrating hardware and software, and performing simulations and analyses to ensure reliability and safety. Contract GNC Engineers may work independently or as part of multidisciplinary teams, often collaborating closely with other engineering experts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, control systems, and applied mathematics, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with simulation software (such as MATLAB/Simulink), control design tools, and familiarity with aerospace standards or certifications (like DO-178C) are typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you excel in a multidisciplinary environment and manage complex project requirements. These competencies ensure the reliable development and integration of GNC systems for aerospace applications, directly impacting mission success and safety.
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Infographic showing various Contract Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.
Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer, Air Dominance & Strike - Advanced Effects

Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer, Air Dominance & Strike - Advanced Effects

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 29 days ago


Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

 

Join our Flight Engineering team advancing the Air Dominance and Strike division's portfolio, where we push the boundaries of aerospace technology. As a critical member of our team, the role of a Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer is pivotal in driving the design, development, testing, and implementation of cutting-edge flight system technologies for our aerospace systems. Anduril fosters a dynamic learning culture, characterized by accelerated knowledge acquisition through modeling, simulation, analysis, and rigorous and frequent ground and flight test experimentation. At Anduril, you will be involved in flight testing the systems you develop.

We are seeking exceptional GNC Engineers to shape the next generation of advanced tactical missile systems, strategic weapons, and hypersonic strike and defense systems. As a key contributor, you will develop, test, and integrate cutting-edge GNC architectures for subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic autonomous systems, driving innovation in mission-critical capabilities.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:
  • Develop, implement, and test algorithms for guidance, navigation, and control systems in line with project requirements.
  • Design, implement, and assess the GNC architectures considering all elements, including sensors, actuators, and algorithms.
  • Participate in all phases of system development, from concept to design, prototyping, testing, and operation.
  • Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team including systems engineers, flight software engineers, and test engineers to ensure system-wide integration and performance.
  • Contribute to design reviews, safety assessments, and system documentation.
  • Use simulation and analysis tools to verify GNC models and system performance under different operating conditions.
  • Provide system engineering expertise in the development of GNC systems, ensuring a cohesive and efficient approach to the design and implementation process.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to GNC systems during design, testing, and operational phases.
  • Keep updated with the latest technologies and trends in GNC engineering and system architecture design.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • BS in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering or related field with focus on dynamics and control
  • A strong theoretical knowledge of flight mechanics, classical and modern control theory, estimation, and filtering techniques.
  • Experience with developing GNC solutions for flight systems
  • Proficiency with GNC simulation tools like MATLAB, Simulink and related toolboxes
  • Familiarization with 6-DOF simulations
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance
Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer
  • 3 or more years of experience in Guidance, Navigation & Control engineering or related technical experience
Senior Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer
  • 8 or more years of experience in Guidance, Navigation & Control engineering or related technical experience
Staff Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer
  • 12 or more years of experience in Guidance, Navigation & Control engineering or related technical experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • A MS or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is a plus
  • Strong understanding of flight mechanics and related physics.
  • Practical experience developing GNC designs for high speed flight systems and re-entry vehicles.
  • Practical experience with Explicit Model Following, Dynamic Inversion, and Adaptive Control techniques.
  • Extensive experience in GNC system and architecture development and testing, preferably in the aerospace industry.
  • Experience generating C or C++ code from Simulink models.
  • Experience writing code in C/C++
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
  • Familiarity with agile and Lean product development methodologies such as Scrum.
  • Experience using Jira, Git, GitHub, or GitLab
  • Understanding of and compliance with industry, safety, and quality standards appropriate for the application
  • Passion for defending the United States and its allies
  • Current Active U.S. Top Secret clearance preferred

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About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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