1

Gnc Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Gnc Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$41.1K

$106.4K

$161.6K

How much do gnc engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for gnc engineer in Minnesota is $106,402.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,700.00 and $129,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the GNC engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a GNC Engineer, you need a solid background in control systems, dynamics, navigation algorithms, and aerospace engineering, often complemented by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, and experience with sensor integration or real-time embedded systems are highly valued, along with certifications like EIT or PE being beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and clear communication skills help you excel in collaborative and interdisciplinary environments. These competencies are critical for designing and optimizing guidance, navigation, and control systems that ensure mission success and safety in aerospace projects.

What is a GNC engineer?

A GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineer is responsible for developing algorithms and systems that enable vehicles, such as spacecraft, aircraft, or autonomous robots, to navigate and control their movement accurately. They design control systems, work with sensors and actuators, and develop software for real-time decision-making. GNC engineers use techniques from control theory, signal processing, and machine learning to ensure precision and stability in dynamic environments. Their work is crucial for missions requiring autonomous operation, such as space exploration, missile guidance, and drone navigation.

What are typical day-to-day responsibilities for a GNC engineer?

As a GNC Engineer, your daily responsibilities often include designing and refining algorithms for guidance, navigation, and control; running simulations to test system performance; and analyzing flight data to troubleshoot and optimize system behavior. You may work closely with hardware engineers, software developers, and systems engineers to integrate your solutions into larger aerospace platforms such as rockets, satellites, or UAVs. Collaboration through team meetings, design reviews, and documentation is routine, and you may occasionally participate in field tests or flight demonstrations. Staying organized and adaptive is key, as priorities can shift quickly depending on project timelines and technical challenges.

What are the most commonly searched types of Gnc Engineer jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Gnc Engineer jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Gnc Engineer jobs in Minnesota?

For Gnc Engineer jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Gnc Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,402 per year, or $51.2 per hour.

Guidance Navigation Control Engineer (Level 3 or 4)

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Plymouth, MN • On-site

$135K - $203K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 363 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 539 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 Weapons Systems Division has a remarkable opportunity for an experienced GNC Engineer to support our Armament Systems site in Plymouth, MN.

This site develops and produces medium- and large-caliber ammunition as well as precision capabilities for direct and indirect fire systems. Leading the industry, this team successfully completes lifecycle support for medium-caliber cannons, develops miniature, precision strike weapons for airborne platforms, creates survivability solutions for soldiers and the next generation tactical ammunition for a variety of combat platforms

Duties and Responsibilities

Designs, develops, implements, verifies and tests algorithms and software and simulation tools to perform guidance, navigation and control of aircraft, spacecraft, submersibles, surface ships, missiles, launch vehicles and upper stages during powered and coast phases of launch, flight, earth orbit, interplanetary cruise and orbital insertion, as well as during staging events. Navigation functions include the statistical processing of measured data points and their substitution into algorithms simulating physical reality. Guidance functions include the formulation of specific equations to achieve a desired position, orientation or orbit in space. Control design and analyses processes consist of the development of the control laws and hardware and software requirements for aircraft, launch vehicles and/or spacecraft.

Specific Technical Skills:

  • Using first principles to develop math models of physical systems
  • Classical methods for analysis and synthesis of control algorithms
  • Modern (state space) methods for analysis and synthesis of control algorithms
  • Optimal control techniques
  • Working experience with guidance algorithms
  • Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink software tools and related toolboxes
  • Implementation of control/navigation algorithms in a real hardware application system
  • Test performance predictions and test data reconciliation
  • Model reduction techniques
  • Hardware, field test and Defense/Aerospace domain experience is a plus.

Please note this position may be filled as a level 3 or level 4 GNC Engineer based on the candidate's education and/or years of experience.

Basic Qualifications GNC Engineer level 3

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems Engineering or a closely related field plus 5 years of relevant experience. Or, Master of Science degree in engineering discipline or closely related field of study plus 3 years of relevant experience. Or, Ph.D. in engineering discipline or closely related field of study plus 1 year of relevant experience.
  • Experience in model development, requirements definition, GNC algorithm analysis and synthesis and familiarity with both modern and classical control design techniques.Minimum years' experience depends on education level
  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Security Clearance.

Basic Qualifications GNC Engineer level 4

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems Engineering or a closely related field plus 8 years of relevant experience. Or, Master of Science degree in engineering discipline or closely related field of study plus 6 years of relevant experience. Or, Ph.D. in engineering discipline or closely related field of study plus 4 years of relevant experience.
  • Experience in model development, requirements definition, GNC algorithm analysis and synthesis and familiarity with both modern and classical control design techniques.Minimum years' experience depends on education level
  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Security Clearance
Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00The 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.

What Northrop Grumman employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Northrop Grumman logo

About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939