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Guidance Navigation Control Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

This role demands a detail-oriented professional who can navigate complex data center environments ... You'llwork collaboratively with Regional Engineering Managers, site teams, and clients to ...

Sr Engineer II, Plant Controls

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $132K/yr

Exempt The Plant Controls Team within RWE Americas ensures control solutions for utility-scale ... Takes ownership of work and resolves issues; seeks guidance when direction is needed * Documents ...

... design, technical guidance/training/mentoring of staff, design reviews, QA/QC review, and ... Review junior engineer's designs, verify they meet client standards and specifications, and ...

... design, technical guidance/training/mentoring of staff, design reviews, QA/QC review, and ... Review junior engineer's designs, verify they meet client standards and specifications, and ...

... navigate complex regulatory environments ensuring project performance, budget, schedule, and ... guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC. * ...

... navigate complex regulatory environments ensuring project performance, budget, schedule, and ... guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC. * ...

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Guidance Navigation Control Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$56.7K

$99.5K

$134.9K

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

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for guidance navigation control engineer in Chicago, IL is $99,485.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,000.00 and $111,300.00 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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Guidance Navigation Control Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Guidance Navigation Control Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 71% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $99,485 per year, or $47.8 per hour.

Lead Substation Protection & Control Engineer

GAI Consultants

Lisle, IL • On-site

$101K - $133K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


GAI Consultants rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 441 rated engineering


Job description

GAI is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Substation Protection & Control Engineer to oversee the design, development, and implementation of protection and control systems for high-voltage substations. This role will serve as a technical leader within the engineering team, ensuring that all protection and control designs meet regulatory standards, project requirements, and industry best practices. We value work-life balance and offer flexibility - this position can be performed in a hybrid capacity in these locations: Overland Park, KS, Pittsburgh, PA, Lisle, IL, Orlando, FL, or in a fully remote capacity.
Job Duties:
  • Lead the engineering design and review of protection and control systems for transmission and distribution substations (typically 69kV to 500kV).
  • Develop and approve protection schemes including one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, control schematics, and wiring diagrams.
  • Integrate protection and control drawings to interface with the physical layout and design of substations.
  • Development of control and relay panel layouts including assembling the specifications.
  • Development of design specifications including the overall bill of materials.
  • Design and sizing of auxiliary systems including AC/DC load centers as well as batteries and chargers.
  • Design and sizing of conduit, cable, and backup generators.
  • Traveling to other offices and meeting with clients and attending project-specific meetings.
  • Traveling to substations for scoping site visits
  • Review junior engineer's designs, verify they meet client standards and specifications, and identify gaps in client's protection.
  • Document QA/QC reviews, maintain record documents, and communicate information to the team.
  • Leading tasks on multiple projects in accordance with GAI's high standards of project management.

General Characteristics
  • Applies broad knowledge of principles and practices in a specific practice area.
  • Independently evaluates, selects, and adapts standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.
  • Leads tasks and projects of moderately complex scopes.
  • Develops plans, specifications, and other project documents.
  • Selects appropriate principles of engineering economics, and probability and statistics to analyze risk in a complex engineering problem.

Minimum Years of Experience
  • 6+ Years of Experience

Education
  • B.S. or M.S. Engineering

Certification/Licensure
  • Professional Engineer (P.E.) License

Technical Responsibilities
  • Designs a complete project, system, component, or process.
  • Prepares complete plans, specifications, and other project documents.
  • Designs and conducts analyses and interprets test data.
  • Begins to develop and reviews complete project documents for conformity and quality assurance.

Project and Task Management
  • Assigns tasks to other technical and non-technical staff.
  • Plans and coordinates detailed aspects of the engineering work.
  • Prepares scopes, budgets, and schedules for assignments.
  • Assists with proposals to provide professional services or obtain funding for engineering projects or projects.

Management Responsibility
  • Receives general direction on key objectives. Receives guidance on unconventional/complex problems, direction on modified techniques, and new approaches on assignments with conflicting criteria.
  • Mentors junior staff by providing guidance, explaining professional responsibilities, and reviewing work products.
  • Attends project meetings and presents specific aspects of engineering assignments.

Communication Skills
  • Communicates effectively to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

Why GAI?
At GAI, exceptional people have an exceptional place to work, grow, lead, and achieve. Explore an array of opportunities in locations across the U.S. and join accomplished colleagues in tackling challenging projects for a range of markets. Enjoy comprehensive benefits and feel good about being part of a collaborative team that's committed to supporting the communities we serve. Join GAI and distinguish yourself in a company poised for unlimited growth.
Benefits To Working at GAI Include:
  • Competitive salary - GAI is committed to paying market-based salaries
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, company paid Long Term Disability, and Short-Term Disability (benefits start within 30 days of hire)
  • New paid Maternity/Paternity/Adoption program
  • Generous Paid Time Off and 7 paid holidays
  • 401k company match
  • Tuition Reimbursement

#INDHP
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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About GAI Consultants

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

GAI Consultants is an employee-owned corporation offering comprehensive engineering, planning, and environmental consulting services to diverse industry sectors, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The company operates in the field of engineering consulting and provides sustainable and economically-viable solutions to clients ranging from bridge design, community planning, to industrial facilities, ecological studies, and more. GAI Consultants was founded in 1958 and, over more than six decades, has grown significantly with a strong commitment to advancing clients' projects and contributing to community development. The firm operates on the core values of integrity, client satisfaction, quality, and workforce development, all of which raises the bar on client service and project excellence, ultimately contributing to the company’s mission, which is 'to create and deliver superior, innovative consulting solutions that enrich the lives of our people and enhance the world we live in.'

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Pittsburgh, PA, US

Year founded

1958

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