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Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Cummings Aerospace Inc

Senior GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120K - $165K/yr

Overview The Senior Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer position is a full-time exempt position. The individual will support the development of GNC modeling and simulation tools and ...

Cummings Aerospace Inc

Senior GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120K - $165K/yr

Overview The Senior Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer position is a full-time exempt position. The individual will support the development of GNC modeling and simulation tools and ...

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Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$41.6K

$107.7K

$163.6K

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

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for guidance navigation control gnc engineer in Virginia is $107,706.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,700.00 and $131,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a guidance navigation control GNC engineer?

A Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer is responsible for designing and developing algorithms and systems that enable vehicles, such as aircraft, spacecraft, and autonomous systems, to navigate and control their movement. They work with sensors, actuators, and control laws to ensure stability, accuracy, and performance in dynamic environments. GNC engineers use simulations, modeling, and real-world testing to refine designs and improve system reliability. Their work is crucial in industries like aerospace, defense, robotics, and autonomous vehicles.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a guidance navigation control GNC engineer?

To thrive as a Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, control theory, and systems modeling, typically backed by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink, experience with embedded systems, and sometimes certifications such as EIT/FE are valuable assets. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and address complex technical challenges. These competencies ensure robust GNC solutions are developed and integrated successfully into aerospace or defense systems.

What does a guidance navigation control GNC engineer do?

As a GNC Engineer, you’ll regularly design, analyze, and implement algorithms that control vehicle flight and navigation—working hands-on with simulation tools and actual hardware. Your daily tasks might include developing mathematical models, performing hardware-in-the-loop testing, troubleshooting integration issues, and supporting system validation in the lab or on test ranges. You’ll work closely with mechanical, software, and systems engineers to ensure all subsystems function seamlessly together. This collaborative and dynamic environment provides hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology and room to specialize or lead technical teams in the future.

What are the most commonly searched types of Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
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Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,706 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

Guidance, Navigation, Controls (GNC) Engineer

Technology Service Corporation (TSC)

Arlington, VA • On-site

$96K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

TSC is seeking a remote based Guidance, Navigation, Controls (GNC) Engineer that will design, integrate, test, and deliver flight control systems or mission-critical onboard software for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The ideal candidate will have experience in UAS Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) utilizing inertial navigation, vision, collision avoidance, commercial autopilots, redundancy management and path planning architecture. The GNC Engineer will participate hands-on in the full software life cycle, from concept through implementation, integration to flight test and operational release. This position in onsite based in Crystal City, VA with up to 25% travel required.
As a GNC Engineer you can anticipate some of your day-to-day responsibilities to include:
  • Work on a team to develop, modify and tune guidance and control systems for fixed wing aircraft
  • Work on a team to develop, modify and tune navigation systems based on sensor fusion of 6-DOF IMU, magnetometer, GNSS, pressure and ranging sensors.
  • Work on a team to develop and modify 6-DOF and Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation environments
  • Simulation, analysis, control, and testing on 6 degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) motion platform for development and validation of autonomous UAS.
  • Work on a team to design and develop flight or mission-critical onboard software for unmanned systems
  • Aid development for unmanned aerospace includes guidance, navigation & control, mission sequencing, payload control, redundancy and contingency management, uplink and downlink packet encoding and decoding, converting between different serial protocols, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, ground-based GUIs, and aircraft subsystem control (i.e., payload, electrical systems)
  • Embedded Software development (C/C++, Python, shell scripts)

Writing/modifying software to adjust flight behaviors:
  • Use development tools such as: JIRA, git, C/C++, CMake, Linux, MATLAB
  • Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary software team on large, multi-language projects
  • Participating in code reviews, Flight Testing, and Customer Presentations
  • Bench test, Hardware-in-the-loop, and field testing of UAS platforms
  • Local, interstate, and international travel to support field testing and customer demonstrations. Expected travel is ~10-25%.
  • Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (Systems, Software, Mechanical, Electrical) in planning, design and development of systems to ensure software and hardware performance and compatibility
  • Design software architecture, interfaces, and gateways for communication with external Autonomy software services. Implement functionality using a model-based approach.
  • Software verification and validation including writing Test Cases and Test Procedures
  • Develop, implement, and document data and software application test plans to validate project deliverables meet quality standards
  • Oversee and support processes and procedures for existing data and reporting activities to support internal and external customer deliverables.
  • Examples of specific deliverables include but are not limited to: recurring reports and analyses; data validation and documentation
  • Interface and derive solutions in coordination with hardware design teams

Required Qualifications
  • BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Aerospace, Controls engineering or other relevant discipline, plus at minimum 5 years of experience in a professional environment developing MATLAB / Simulink control systems with auto code experience; or MS in Controls or Aerospace Engineering plus 2 years' experience. Embedded code experience preferred.
  • US Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
  • Experience in developing physics based 6 DOF simulations, motion platforms.
  • Experience developing with: Gazebo or similar simulation tools, MatlabMATLAB/Simulink, C, C++, Python
  • Experience developing scripts to run batch processes
  • Experience in data post processing from simulation or flight testing, report summary writing
  • Experience developing guidance and autonomy algorithms required; in denied environments preferred

Preferred Experience
Minimum two years of demonstrated, hands-on professional experience in at least one (ideally a combination) of the following areas:
  • Model-based design and/or test using the Simulink/Stateflow tool chain.
  • Software development in a relevant subject matter area: Aircraft Guidance Navigation & Control or other robotic system guidance, navigation and control; ground- or airborne mission systems; general aerospace flight control or cockpit avionics systems; ground stations; payload control.
  • Development/operations of hardware-in-the-loop simulators, conducting testing and troubleshooting of HW/SW interfaces.
  • Familiarity with software configuration management tools, version control systems, defect tracking tools, and peer review required.

TSC Benefits: TSC offers a stable work environment, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefit package; including ESOP participation, 401k Plan, Flexible Work Schedules, Tuition Reimbursement, Co-Sponsored Health Plan, Paid Leave and much more.
Applying to TSC: Only those candidates invited for an interview will be contacted. Employment at TSC is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check, security investigation, and a drug screening.
This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing information about compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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