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Guidance Navigation Control Engineer information

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$56.9K

$99.8K

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

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for guidance navigation control engineer in Silver Spring, MD is $99,836.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,300.00 and $111,600.00 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 Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,836 per year, or $48 per hour.

Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer

Quantum Space

Rockville, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Who We're Looking For
Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.
We are seeking a Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to develop the algorithms, analyses, and flight capabilities that enable our spacecraft to navigate, maneuver, and operate autonomously across a diverse range of space missions In this role, you will own GNC subsystem development throughout the spacecraft lifecycle, including mission analysis, modeling and simulation, guidance, navigation, and control algorithm development, flight software integration, hardware integration and test, verification and validation, and on-orbit mission support The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is passionate about building next-generation space systems that support mission success.
Where You'll Make an Impact
  • Develop high-fidelity spacecraft dynamics and GNC simulation environments to support analysis, verification, and mission design.
  • Implement and tune control laws for attitude control, momentum management, orbit maneuvering, RPO, and station-keeping.
  • Perform state estimation design and analysis (EKF/UKF, sensor fusion, GPS/IMU, star tracker & sun sensor pipelines).
  • Support integration of GNC algorithms into flight software, including validation through unit test, SIL/HIL, and full-vehicle simulation.
  • Collaborate with avionics and sensor teams to define GNC-related ICDs, data flows, timing, and performance budgets.
  • Analyze both on-orbit and testbed telemetry to evaluate GNC performance and inform updates to algorithms and configuration.
  • Develop tools that improve autonomous maneuver planning, control margin analysis, and attitude/orbit estimation accuracy.
  • Support safe-mode and fault management logic development in partnership with FSW and systems engineering.
  • Work with the systems team to specify hardware components based on system requirements, and coordinate with vendors to acquire hardware that meet program cost and schedule targets.
  • Develop and execute GNC hardware acceptance and performance test plans and procedures.
  • Participate in MCR/PDR/CDR, test readiness reviews, and support operations during early-orbit commissioning when needed.
  • Contribute to rapid iteration cycles that refine autonomy and maneuverability across successive spacecraft builds.

What It Takes
  • B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
  • 3-8+ years of experience in spacecraft or high-reliability GNC development.
  • Strong foundation in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, and classical/modern control theory.
  • Experience implementing estimation and control algorithms in C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink.
  • Experience with sensor fusion for spacecraft-relevant sensors (IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, GNSS, ranging sensors).
  • Familiarity with flight software integration, SIL/HIL testing, and simulation pipelines.
  • Ability to analyze telemetry, validate performance, and debug GNC-related anomalies.
  • Systems-level awareness across avionics, software, and dynamics.
  • Ability to operate in a fast-paced, hardware-integrated environment with shifting priorities.

Nice-to-Have Experience
  • Experience with RPO, proximity operations, autonomous maneuver planning, or high-ΔV vehicle dynamics.
  • Familiarity with MAX FSW and MAX GDS or other modern COTS flight software environments.
  • Experience with Monte Carlo analysis and large-scale mission simulation.
  • Experience with EKF variants, covariance analysis, or nonlinear control approaches.
  • Background with thruster-based ACS, high-agility control architectures, or propulsion-coupled dynamics.
  • Experience analyzing 6DOF models incorporating propellant slosh and flexible-body dynamics.
  • Hands-on experience with testbeds, HITL environments, or closed-loop simulation frameworks.
  • Experience with fault management logic, safing modes, and on-orbit anomaly investigation.
  • Prior experience working in fast-paced startups or NewSpace organizations. '

What You'll Get
  • Ownership - Build and validate the GNC capability that defines how our spacecraft maneuver, point, and operate autonomously.
  • Innovation - Shape next-generation GNC architectures, algorithms, and tools for high-agility missions.
  • Impact - Directly influence spacecraft controllability, autonomy, and mission success across cislunar and GEO operations.
  • Growth - Collaborate across avionics, FSW, systems, and mission ops, with opportunities to expand into dynamics modeling, autonomy, or flight operations.
  • Compensation - Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.

Location: Rockville, MD
Base Salary: $130,000 - $180,000
The salary range for this role is determined based on a variety of factors including work experience, education, technical expertise, certifications, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.
Additional Requirements
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.

Apply