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Gnc Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Auterion

GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA

$140K - $170K/yr

As a GNC Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and sustaining the guidance, navigation, and control software that powers Auterion's Skynode platform, built on PX4. Your primary focus will ...

Auterion

GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA

$140K - $170K/yr

As a GNC Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and sustaining the guidance, navigation, and control software that powers Auterion's Skynode platform, built on PX4. Your primary focus will ...

Auterion

GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

As a GNC Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and sustaining the guidance, navigation, and control software that powers Auterion's Skynode platform, built on PX4. Your primary focus will ...

Lynk

GNC Engineer, ADCS

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Job Summary As a GNC Engineer at Lynk, you will be responsible for the analysis, design, implementation, optimization and enhancement of satellite attitude determination and control systems (ADCS ...

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All JobsGnc Engineer JobsGnc Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Gnc Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$41.6K

$107.7K

$163.6K

How much do gnc engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for gnc engineer in Virginia is $107,706.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,700.00 and $131,400.00 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 job?

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 Virginia? The most popular types of Gnc Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Gnc Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Gnc Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Gnc Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Gnc Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Gnc Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Gnc Engineer job openings:
Gnc Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gnc Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,706 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

GNC Engineer

Auterion

Arlington, VA

$140K - $170K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

As a GNC Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and sustaining the guidance, navigation, and control software that powers Auterion's Skynode platform, built on PX4.

Your primary focus will be enabling strike drone capabilities, including integration of Auterion's software stack onto partner hardware and ensuring reliable performance in operational environments.

You will work closely with product and field teams to improve system performance, support deployments, and rapidly troubleshoot issues observed during testing and real-world operations.

Responsibilities and Duties:

  • Develop and maintain guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) capabilities within PX4 and AuterionSDK, including new features, performance improvements, and automated testing
  • Own and evolve the US guidance controller for strike applications, ensuring robustness and mission effectiveness
  • Define, analyze, and review software requirements to meet customer needs, system performance targets, and quality standards
  • Design and implement flight- and mission-critical onboard software for unmanned systems
  • Diagnose and resolve GNC-related issues from field operations through flight log analysis, providing rapid initial assessment and driving root-cause resolution
  • Work closely with product, integration, and flight operations teams to support deployments and continuously improve system performance
  • Travel to customer sites (typically 1-2 weeks at a time) to support platform integration, testing, and advanced GNC tuning

Qualifications and Skills:

  • Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
  • Strong grasp of flight dynamics and fundamentals of aerodynamics
  • Proficient in C/C++ (particularly on Linux based systems and memory-constrained embedded processors) and Python
  • Working knowledge of PX4 or comparable autopilot technology
  • Experience programming robotic applications in ROS/ROS2
  • Understanding of Kalman filtering and other state estimation algorithms
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills to keep a global team fully informed
  • Hands-on drone experience, including piloting, is a plus
  • US citizenship & eligibility to obtain secret clearance required. 

Base Salary Range: $140,000 - $170,000

Benefits:

  • Flexible working hours
  • Stock Options
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Health Insurance (includes dental & vision)
  • Medical flex spending
  • Life Insurance
  • Retirement Plan - 401k with company match 
  • Enhanced maternity & paternity leave

About Auterion

We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems.

At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you'll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.

Apply