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Guidance Navigation Control Engineer Jobs in Iowa

BAE Systems

Eng II - Sys

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

The Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer will support the design, development, integration, and validation of advanced navigation solutions for aerospace, defense, or autonomous ...

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Guidance Navigation Control Engineer information

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$51.7K

$90.7K

$123K

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

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for guidance navigation control engineer in Iowa is $90,708.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,400.00 and $101,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a guidance navigation control engineer?

Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test systems that guide and control the movement of vehicles such as aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and autonomous vehicles. Their work involves creating algorithms and integrating sensors and actuators to ensure precise navigation and stability. GNC Engineers play a critical role in mission planning, real-time control, and safety, making sure vehicles follow their intended paths accurately. They often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex problems related to flight dynamics, navigation, and control systems.

What does a guidance navigation control engineer do?

A guidance, navigation, and control engineer designs, manufactures, and tests aircraft and other vehicles. Your duties span research and development, analysis, design, and manufacturing. As a GNC engineer, you are an aerospace engineer with responsibilities that include examining design proposals for financial and structural feasibility, overseeing the design and manufacturing system operations, and running tests to determine safety and performance. You manage quality control, look for issues with designs and final products, and determine what solutions are safe and effective. You must understand and apply concepts like propulsion and flight mechanics, aerodynamics, and thermodynamics when designing and building vehicles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a guidance navigation control engineer?

To thrive as a Guidance Navigation Control Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, control theory, and mathematics, usually supported by a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink, programming languages such as C/C++, and experience with sensor integration and embedded systems are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you excel in this role. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure the safe, precise, and reliable operation of complex aerospace or autonomous systems.

How does a guidance navigation control engineer typically collaborate with multidisciplinary teams during a project?

Guidance Navigation Control Engineers work closely with professionals from various disciplines, such as mechanical engineers, software developers, and systems engineers, to ensure that navigation and control systems are seamlessly integrated into larger aerospace or robotics projects. Regular meetings, design reviews, and simulation sessions are common, where GNC engineers both contribute their expertise and adapt solutions based on feedback from other teams. This collaborative environment helps resolve integration challenges early and ensures that final products meet safety, performance, and reliability standards.
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Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Guidance Navigation Control Engineer job openings in Iowa as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,708 per year, or $43.6 per hour.

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Systems Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA

BAE Systems
National Security and International Affairs • 10K+ employees
Learn more about BAE Systemsexternal

$72K - $122K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New

BAE Systems rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 151 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job Description
Because of the need for consistent, in-person collaboration and/or the requirement to perform all work onsite due to the nature of this particular role, it will be performed full time on site. This means work will be conducted on location at a BAE Systems facility 100% of the time.
BAE Systems is looking for an entry-level Systems Engineer with a passion for engineering and the desire to be part of an innovative, dedicated team responsible for industry-leading Navigation products. Our team needs engineers interested in supporting the architecture, design, and development of system designs for real-time embedded Navigation receivers for military ground, airborne, and weapons applications. This position offers an exceptional opportunity for a recent graduate to acquire in-depth knowledge of Navigation technology and receiver architecture and apply that knowledge in a team effort to develop our Modernized Navigation receiver products.
The Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer will support the design, development, integration, and validation of advanced navigation solutions for aerospace, defense, or autonomous platforms. This role focuses on contributing to the development of robust algorithms and architectures that provide accurate and reliable state estimation under challenging, dynamic, and sensor-limited environments.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
  • Masters or PhD degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline.
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Have the ability to obtain a DoW Security Clearance.
  • Familiarity in Kalman Filtering (EKF, UKF) and recursive estimation techniques.
  • Understanding of IMU mechanics, strapdown integration, and coordinate transformations (Euler angles, Quaternions).
  • Ability to integrate data from disparate sources (GPS, IMU, Magnetometers, Vision/Lidar).
  • Strong grasp of Linear Algebra, Calculus, and Probability/Stochastic processes.
  • Expertise in modeling, simulation, and using MATLAB/Simulink.
  • Experience using C++ (for embedded implementation) and Python (for data analysis and prototyping).
  • Ability to process and visualize large datasets (e.g., using NumPy, Pandas, or MATLAB).

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
  • Have Secret Security Clearance
  • Experience with Jira and DOORS
  • Experience or interest in utilizing AI tools for system development
  • Experience with Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) tools (CAMEO, SysML, MagicDraw, etc.)

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $72150 - $122655
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

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About BAE Systems

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At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of more than 93,000 in around 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and people, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.

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National security and international affairs and it services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

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