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Guidance Navigation Control Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Guidance Navigation Control Engineer information

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$55K

$96.6K

$131K

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

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for guidance navigation control engineer in the United States is $96,574.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $108,000.00 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.
What cities are hiring for Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Guidance Navigation Control Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Guidance Navigation Control Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 91% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,574 per year, or $46.4 per hour.
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer II

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer II

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Other

Posted yesterday


Lockheed Martin rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 378 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 59 rated aerospace companies


Job description

This position is contingent upon the program award expected in August of 2026.
About Lockheed Martin Space:
Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security, and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more - we can innovate, invest, inspire, and integrate our capabilities to transform the future.
At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We're creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security vision. We're erasing boundaries and forming partnerships across industries and around the world. We're advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation. And we're reimagining how space can connect us, ensuring security and prosperity.
Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you


About the Role
Leverage senior engineering experience by joining a Guidance Navigation Control (GN&C) team that designs, develops, and fields advanced control technologies for defense and commercial customers. As a senior engineer, you will collaborate and develop algorithms that will shape the next generation of flight, surface, and space control subsystems, ensuring they meet Lockheed Martin's rigorous product standards and mission objectives.
What You'll Do
Perform as a senior GN&C engineer and system integrator through concept, simulation, model based design, hardware in the loop testing, and flight ready prototype delivery.
Produce detailed algorithmic specifications, implementation requirements, documentation, and verification plans.
Coordinate closely with perception, mission planning, simulation, and test teams for seamless system integration.
Translate customer operational needs into technical solutions that leverage cutting edge GN&C capabilities.
Communicate technical strategies, risks, and progress to senior leadership, program managers, and external partners.
How You'll Deliver
End to end development cycles from initial concept through qualification and fielding.
Develop and validate control algorithms using MATLAB/Simulink and generate auto code for target hardware.
Perform stability analysis, MonteCarlo simulations, and PID/PD controller tuning to meet performance targets.
Mentor junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
Stay current with GN&C advancements and incorporate state of the art approaches across perception, planning, and control domains.


Successful applicants generally possess 1+ years of related experience and may have a post-secondary degree or training in a related discipline.

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About Lockheed Martin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As a global security and aerospace company, the majority of Lockheed Martin's business is with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. federal government agencies.The remaining portion of Lockheed Martin's business is comprised of international government and commercial sales of products, services and platforms.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bethesda, MD, US

Year founded

1912