1

Guidance Navigation Control Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

next page

Showing results 1-20

Guidance Navigation Control Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$62.6K

$109.9K

$149.1K

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

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for guidance navigation control engineer in Seattle, WA is $109,904.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,000.00 and $122,900.00 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.

What job categories do people searching Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:

Infographic showing various Guidance Navigation Control Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,904 per year, or $52.8 per hour.

Guidance Navigation & Control Engineer 4

The Structures Company

Everett, WA • On-site

$99/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

JOB TITLE: Guidance Navigation & Control Engineer 4
LOCATION: Everett, WA
PAY RATE: $99.50/hour

We are a national aerospace and defense staffing agency seeking highly qualified candidates for a position with a top-tier client.

Job Details:

  • Job Type: Contract (18 W, 3 D with potential for extension)

  • Industry: Aerospace / Defense / Aviation

  • Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision (Cigna)

  • Perks: Bonus potential + Priority access via Tier 1 supplier

  • Openings Nationwide: Thousands of opportunities across the U.S.

  • Shift: 1st shift, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

Qualifying Questions:

  • Are you a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) as defined under ITAR regulations?

  • Do you meet the educational and experience requirements for this role?

  • Can you commute to the job location or relocate if necessary?

Summary: 

  • Decomposes airplane level requirements into system level requirements and further decomposes system level requirements into component requirements.

  • Participates in and leads system, component, and detail certification efforts including creation of system safety analysis, failure modes and effects analysis, and fault tree analysis.

  • Gathers, defines, and documents system level requirements to support flight control and mission or trajectory requirements definition.

  • Performs and documents analysis and design of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems to validate or assess system design or models.

  • Participates in and leads system level and component level validation analysis and testing including test monitoring, analysis and test report authoring, and test failure analysis.

  • Performs system safety analysis including failure modes and effects analysis, fault tree analysis, common cause analysis, and single and multiple failure analysis.

  • Applies knowledge and experience with ARP 4754 and ARP 4761 for aerospace system development and safety assessment.

  • Performs requirements development, design, analysis, and verification and validation of flight control systems.

  • Uses requirement management tools such as IBM Rational DOORS for traceability and compliance.

  • Works with flight controls system and component architecture for large commercial aircraft.

Requirements:

  • Must be a U.S. Person (as defined by ITAR).

  • Education/experience typically acquired through advanced technical education from an accredited course of study in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics or chemistry (e.g. Bachelor) and typically 9 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience (e.g. PhD+4 years' related work experience, Master+7 years' related work experience). In the USA, ABET accreditation is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.5-7 years of technical experience working with Flight Controls.

  • Preferred: 5 or more years related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • Preferred: Experience with System Safety Analysis including failure modes and effects analysis, fault tree analysis, common cause analysis, and single and multiple failure analysis.

  • Preferred: Knowledge and experience with ARP 4754 and ARP 4761.

  • Preferred: Experience with flight controls system and component architecture.

  • Preferred: Experience in requirements development, design, analysis, and verification and validation of flight control systems.

  • Preferred: Experience using requirement management tools such as IBM Rational DOORS.

  • Preferred: Experience with manufacturing regulated and certified, safety critical components and software.

About Us:

The Structures Company is a premier national aerospace and defense staffing agency specializing in contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire placements. We deliver expert workforce solutions across engineering, IT, production, maintenance, and support roles.

As trusted partners to leading aerospace and defense OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, we connect professionals with career opportunities to grow and excel in aviation, aerospace, and defense.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)) to comply with ITAR regulations.

Keywords: aerospace, aviation, engineering, maintenance, aircraft design, defense

Take your career to new heights—apply today!