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Guidance Navigation Control Engineer information

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$54.5K

$95.7K

$129.9K

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

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for guidance navigation control engineer in Virginia is $95,745.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,800.00 and $107,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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.

What Does a Guidance, Navigation, and 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.

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.

What are Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineers?

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.
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Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Guidance Navigation Control Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,745 per year, or $46 per hour.

Senior Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer - Lead

SET Development

Broadlands, VA • On-site, Remote

$106K - $146K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Senior Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer - Lead
Long-Term Contract | Fully Remote (U.S.)
Company
SET Development, LLC
SET Development is a premier aerospace engineering and consulting firm providing deep technical expertise across spacecraft systems, software, avionics, mission operations, and advanced space technologies. Our engineers support both commercial and government space programs, emphasizing technical excellence, collaboration, and long-term mission success.
Position Overview
SET Development is seeking a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer (Lead) to support spacecraft and satellite programs through full lifecycle GNC development. This role is a long-term independent contractor position, fully remote within the United States, with limited travel (up to 15%) as program needs require.
The Senior GNC Engineer will serve as a technical lead, contributing to system architecture, analysis, simulation, verification, and integration of spacecraft GNC solutions across multiple missions or platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineering
  • Lead the design, development, and implementation of GNC architectures for spacecraft and satellite systems.
  • Develop and analyze GNC algorithms for attitude determination, control, and navigation.
  • Model and evaluate spacecraft sensors and actuators.
  • Support GNC flight software development, integration, and verification.
  • Develop and support mission concepts of operations (CONOPS) and mission planning activities.
  • Participate in subsystem-level requirements development and flow-down, with attention to technical performance, manufacturability, and testability.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with systems engineering, software, hardware, AI&T, and mission operations teams.
  • Provide technical leadership across multiple programs or mission phases as required.
Simulation, Modeling & Analysis
  • Develop and maintain high-fidelity GNC simulations, including spacecraft dynamics and space environment models.
  • Support Monte Carlo analysis and performance trade studies.
  • Develop and validate software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environments.
  • Support real-time and non-real-time simulation frameworks for verification and validation activities.
Additional Engineering Support
  • Contribute to the evolution and sustainment of SET Development's spacecraft GNC capabilities and engineering practices.
  • Support design reviews, test readiness reviews, and technical documentation as required.
Required Qualifications
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
Experience
  • Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in guidance, navigation, and control system analysis, design, and verification for spacecraft or satellite systems.
  • Demonstrated experience across multiple phases of the spacecraft development lifecycle.
Technical Skills
  • Advanced proficiency in MATLAB / Simulink, including simulation-based design and analysis.
  • Experience with automatic code generation and model-based testing.
  • Proficiency using Systems Tool Kit (STK) for mission analysis and visualization.
  • Strong experience modeling spacecraft dynamics, sensors, actuators, and control algorithms.
  • Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices (SysML/UML).
  • Experience with software development, verification, and validation processes.
  • Working knowledge of object-oriented programming (e.g., C, C++) and scripting languages such as Python.
Work Location & Travel
  • Fully remote within the United States.
  • Up to 15% travel may be required to customer sites, partner facilities, or integration/test locations.
Employment Classification
  • Independent Contractor (long-term engagement).
  • This position does not include employee benefits, relocation assistance, or visa sponsorship.
Eligibility Requirements
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
  • U.S. citizenship may be required for certain programs or customer requirements.
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
  • Ability to work for extended periods at a computer workstation.
  • Ability to participate in virtual meetings and teleconferences.
  • Ability to travel domestically as required.
Equal Opportunity Statement
SET Development, LLC is an Equal Opportunity organization. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

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