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Guidance Navigation Control Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Guidance Navigation Control Engineering information

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$55K

$96.6K

$131K

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

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for guidance navigation control engineering 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 (GNC) Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, control systems, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink, familiarity with embedded systems, and knowledge of sensor integration are commonly required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this field. These skills ensure precise system performance, safety, and successful mission outcomes in complex aerospace projects.

What are some common challenges faced by Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineers when integrating systems on aerospace projects?

GNC Engineers often encounter challenges related to integrating complex hardware and software systems, especially when ensuring that sensors, actuators, and algorithms work seamlessly together. These challenges may include dealing with sensor noise, real-time data processing constraints, and maintaining system stability under varying environmental conditions. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, such as avionics, software, and systems engineering, is essential to troubleshoot integration issues and achieve reliable performance. Additionally, GNC Engineers must rigorously test and validate designs through simulations and on actual platforms to ensure mission success.

What is the difference between Guidance Navigation Control Engineering vs Guidance Navigation Control Technician?

AspectGuidance Navigation Control EngineeringGuidance Navigation Control Technician
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in engineering, certifications in control systemsTechnical diploma or associate degree, specialized training
Work EnvironmentDesign, development, and testing of systems, often in labs or officesInstallation, maintenance, and troubleshooting in field or lab settings
Employer & IndustryAerospace, defense, or automotive industriesManufacturers, service providers, or military contractors
Search & ComparisonFocuses on system design and engineering principlesCenters on operational support and system maintenance

Guidance Navigation Control Engineering involves designing and developing navigation systems, requiring advanced engineering credentials. In contrast, Guidance Navigation Control Technicians focus on installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting these systems in the field. Both roles are essential in the industry but differ in responsibilities, education, and work environment.

What is Guidance Navigation Control Engineering?

Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineering is a specialized field of engineering focused on the design and development of systems that enable vehicles—such as aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and autonomous vehicles—to navigate and control their movement accurately. GNC engineers work on algorithms and hardware that allow these vehicles to determine their position, plan their path, and execute maneuvers safely and efficiently. This field combines elements of aerospace engineering, control theory, robotics, and computer science to ensure vehicles can reach their destinations reliably, often in complex or dynamic environments.
More about Guidance Navigation Control Engineering jobs
What states have the most Guidance Navigation Control Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Guidance Navigation Control Engineering jobs include:
Infographic showing various Guidance Navigation Control Engineering job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,574 per year, or $46.4 per hour.
Senior Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer

Senior Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer

Boeing

Hazelwood, MO • Hybrid

$96K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 3 days ago


Boeing rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 604 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 528 rated manufacturers


Job description

Job Description

At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We’re committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.

Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer to join our MQ-25 Flight Engineering team in Hazelwood, MO. 

This role will support the unmanned aircraft’s new product design, development, integration, and flight test with opportunities to lead in areas of flight path definition, mission planning, inner loop flight controls, air data processing, subsystem control, or redundancy and contingency management.   Join us and be a part of the world’s first team to productionize the first unmanned, carrier-based aircraft, where you can build something better for yourself, for our customers, and for the world.

Position Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will be based on the final candidate selected but can be one or many of the following:      

  • Define Guidance, Navigation, and Control mission requirements and ensure requirement quality, traceability, and verification at the system and down to the component level

  • Lead design reviews, analyses, simulations and component/system testing to ensure delivery of products that meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations

  • Use multidisciplinary model data (aero, mass properties, propulsion, etc.) to develop and refine a complex, nonlinear, 6 degrees of freedom simulation model

  • Use various software languages, C, C++, FORTRAN, Python, etc. to develop, implement, integrate, and test vehicle models, controllers, and resulting SW

  • Design guidance and flight control laws using modern linear control design techniques and tools to achieve design and performance targets

  • Use advanced nonlinear analysis to assess and refine the control law design

  • Perform model validation against test data to inform and improve the accuracy of the simulation environment

  • Develop supplementary controllers, limiters, mode logic, redundancy management, and signal shaping to properly bound the performance within all areas of the flight envelope

  • Work with flight simulation and Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) software engineers to incorporate control laws into the operational flight program

  • Define, analyze, and maintain Air Data sensor processing, Computational Fluid Dynamics based source error correction, and redundancy management

  • Lead or participate in DO-178B/C related software verification activities.

  • Lead or coordinate autonomous air vehicle contingency management strategy across diverse, multidisciplined teams and manage software implementation.

  • Support flight simulations including desktop, software, and real time simulations

  • Support hardware in the loop development and testing

  • Support flight testing planning and execution

  • Train and coach others

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology (including Manufacturing Technology), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement

  • 9 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience

  • 5 or more years' related work experience with Guidance, Navigation, and Control engineering

  • Experience or familiarity with Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) or other PID control design

  • Experience using Matlab/Simulink or MatrixX/Systembuild to model and simulate complex aerospace systems

  • This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15 is required.  “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • Computer Science Minor

  • Ability to obtain a US Security Clearance for which the US Government requires US Citizenship as a condition of employment. An interim and/or final U.S. Secret Clearance Post-Start is required.

Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company's Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.

Drug Free Workplace:

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent.  Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. 

The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. 

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The Boeing 401(k) helps you save for your future, with contributions from Boeing that can help you grow your retirement savings. Our best-in-class retirement benefit features:

  • Best in class 401(k) plan: we'll match your contributions dollar for dollar, up to 10% of eligible pay with Immediate 100% vesting

  • Student Loan Match: The Boeing 401(k) Student Loan Match allows eligible enrolled U.S. employees to have their qualified student loan debt payments counted, along with any match-eligible contributions they make, for purposes of determining the Company Match to employees' Boeing 401(k) accounts. 

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. 

Summary pay range: $142,800 - $193,200


Applications for this position will be accepted until Jul. 27, 2026


Export Control Requirements:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Export Control Details:

US based job, US Person required

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Required

Relocation

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Visa Sponsorship

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Shift

This position is for 1st shift


Equal Opportunity Employer:

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.


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