ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Guidance Navigation Control Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Astrion

Aerospace Engineer - Midlevel

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$110K - $180K/yr

Overview Aerospace Engineer - Midlevel Job Location: Dahlgren, Virginia Job Status: Full Time ... Development of aerodynamics, mass properties, propulsion, guidance, navigation and control inputs ...

Astrion

Aerospace Engineer - Midlevel

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$110K - $180K/yr

Overview Aerospace Engineer - Midlevel Job Location: Dahlgren, Virginia Job Status: Full Time ... Development of aerodynamics, mass properties, propulsion, guidance, navigation and control inputs ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsGuidance Navigation Control Engineer JobsGuidance Navigation Control Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Guidance Navigation Control Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$54.5K

$95.7K

$129.9K

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

As of Aug 4, 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?

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 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 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.
More about Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Guidance Navigation Control Engineer job openings:
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 85% Full Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,745 per year, or $46 per hour.

Guidance, Navigation, Controls (GNC) Engineer

Technology Service Corporation (TSC)

Arlington, VA • On-site

$96K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

TSC is seeking a remote based Guidance, Navigation, Controls (GNC) Engineer that will design, integrate, test, and deliver flight control systems or mission-critical onboard software for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The ideal candidate will have experience in UAS Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) utilizing inertial navigation, vision, collision avoidance, commercial autopilots, redundancy management and path planning architecture. The GNC Engineer will participate hands-on in the full software life cycle, from concept through implementation, integration to flight test and operational release. This position in onsite based in Crystal City, VA with up to 25% travel required.
As a GNC Engineer you can anticipate some of your day-to-day responsibilities to include:
  • Work on a team to develop, modify and tune guidance and control systems for fixed wing aircraft
  • Work on a team to develop, modify and tune navigation systems based on sensor fusion of 6-DOF IMU, magnetometer, GNSS, pressure and ranging sensors.
  • Work on a team to develop and modify 6-DOF and Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation environments
  • Simulation, analysis, control, and testing on 6 degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) motion platform for development and validation of autonomous UAS.
  • Work on a team to design and develop flight or mission-critical onboard software for unmanned systems
  • Aid development for unmanned aerospace includes guidance, navigation & control, mission sequencing, payload control, redundancy and contingency management, uplink and downlink packet encoding and decoding, converting between different serial protocols, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, ground-based GUIs, and aircraft subsystem control (i.e., payload, electrical systems)
  • Embedded Software development (C/C++, Python, shell scripts)

Writing/modifying software to adjust flight behaviors:
  • Use development tools such as: JIRA, git, C/C++, CMake, Linux, MATLAB
  • Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary software team on large, multi-language projects
  • Participating in code reviews, Flight Testing, and Customer Presentations
  • Bench test, Hardware-in-the-loop, and field testing of UAS platforms
  • Local, interstate, and international travel to support field testing and customer demonstrations. Expected travel is ~10-25%.
  • Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (Systems, Software, Mechanical, Electrical) in planning, design and development of systems to ensure software and hardware performance and compatibility
  • Design software architecture, interfaces, and gateways for communication with external Autonomy software services. Implement functionality using a model-based approach.
  • Software verification and validation including writing Test Cases and Test Procedures
  • Develop, implement, and document data and software application test plans to validate project deliverables meet quality standards
  • Oversee and support processes and procedures for existing data and reporting activities to support internal and external customer deliverables.
  • Examples of specific deliverables include but are not limited to: recurring reports and analyses; data validation and documentation
  • Interface and derive solutions in coordination with hardware design teams

Required Qualifications
  • BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Aerospace, Controls engineering or other relevant discipline, plus at minimum 5 years of experience in a professional environment developing MATLAB / Simulink control systems with auto code experience; or MS in Controls or Aerospace Engineering plus 2 years' experience. Embedded code experience preferred.
  • US Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
  • Experience in developing physics based 6 DOF simulations, motion platforms.
  • Experience developing with: Gazebo or similar simulation tools, MatlabMATLAB/Simulink, C, C++, Python
  • Experience developing scripts to run batch processes
  • Experience in data post processing from simulation or flight testing, report summary writing
  • Experience developing guidance and autonomy algorithms required; in denied environments preferred

Preferred Experience
Minimum two years of demonstrated, hands-on professional experience in at least one (ideally a combination) of the following areas:
  • Model-based design and/or test using the Simulink/Stateflow tool chain.
  • Software development in a relevant subject matter area: Aircraft Guidance Navigation & Control or other robotic system guidance, navigation and control; ground- or airborne mission systems; general aerospace flight control or cockpit avionics systems; ground stations; payload control.
  • Development/operations of hardware-in-the-loop simulators, conducting testing and troubleshooting of HW/SW interfaces.
  • Familiarity with software configuration management tools, version control systems, defect tracking tools, and peer review required.

TSC Benefits: TSC offers a stable work environment, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefit package; including ESOP participation, 401k Plan, Flexible Work Schedules, Tuition Reimbursement, Co-Sponsored Health Plan, Paid Leave and much more.
Applying to TSC: Only those candidates invited for an interview will be contacted. Employment at TSC is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check, security investigation, and a drug screening.
This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing information about compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Apply