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Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer Jobs in Virginia

As a GNC Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and sustaining the guidance, navigation, and control software that powers Auterion's Skynode platform, built on PX4. Your primary focus will ...

GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

As a GNC Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and sustaining the guidance, navigation, and control software that powers Auterion's Skynode platform, built on PX4. Your primary focus will ...

As a GNC Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and sustaining the guidance, navigation, and control software that powers Auterion's Skynode platform, built on PX4. Your primary focus will ...

Showing results 21-40

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 22, 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 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer jobs in Virginia?

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Infographic showing various Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,706 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineers - Level 3 or 4 - TS Cleared (AHT)

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Dulles, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 364 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

87th of 544 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman's Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer supporting our Space team, this role can be based at either our Dulles, VA or Gilbert, AZ locations. On our team, you'll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one.

This role is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

The GNC team designs, builds, and tests spacecraft subsystems for a mix of DoD, NASA, and commercial customers. We are leaders in innovative solutions to the rapidly growing/evolving fields of space based autonomous rendezvous and docking and rapid design/production of small satellites.

Job Responsibilities
In this role you will:

  • Design, analyze, and tune spacecraft attitude and position control loops using time and frequency domain techniques

  • Design and analyze relative guidance solutions for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)

  • Design, analyze, and tune sequential filters (e.g. Kalman filters) for attitude determination and relative navigation

  • Analyze and test the spacecraft GNC subsystem performance using simulations and other analytic tools

  • Perform analysis to support early design phase concept development including actuator sizing and placement, sensor selection and placement, attitude and position guidance, rendezvous, proximity operations and docking analyses, and predicted performance assessments

  • Develop simulation models for sensors (e.g. star tracker, rate gyro, accelerometer, GPS, magnetometer, sun sensors), actuators (e.g. reaction wheel, torque bar, thruster, CMG), system dynamics (e.g. rigid body, multi-body, orbit mechanics, flexible models, propellant slosh), and the space environment (e.g. atmospheric, solar radiation pressure, third-body gravity, geopotential)

  • Communication is a key element of your role and all GNC engineers are expected to:

  • Apply engineering principles, industry standards, company process, and knowledge of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, classical/modern control, and estimation theory to perform tasks to advanced program/project goals

  • Document designs, analysis, and test results and create presentation materials

  • Present designs, analysis, and test results to internal and external customers

  • Work well within small- to medium-sized groups

This role is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Requires an active/current U.S. Government DoD Top-Secret (TS) security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with an ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval AND Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) approval/access within a reasonable period of time

  • Level 3: (Principal level)

    • Bachelor's degree with 5 years of relevant engineering experience

      • May consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a completed degree

    • Master's degree with 3 years of relevant engineering experience

    • PhD with 1 year of relevant engineering experience

  • Level 4: (Sr Principal level)

    • Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant engineering experience

      • May consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a completed degree

    • Master's degree with 6 years of relevant engineering experience

    • PhD with 4 years of relevant engineering experience

  • Experience developing software in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++

  • Experience in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) subsystem design, analysis, and testing; can include Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS)

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Current/Active TS with SCI

  • MS or PhD in engineering, physics, or math

  • Experience with version control tools such as SVN or Git

  • Experience implementing spacecraft GNC algorithms on embedded systems

  • Strong technical fundamentals in the areas of spacecraft attitude and orbit dynamics, navigation filtering and/or control systems design

  • Experience with on-orbit space vehicle operations, commanding, debugging, and use of flight telemetry to track performance metrics

  • Experience with Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) algorithms, practices and planning strategies

  • Experience with performing spacecraft GNC design, analysis, Hardware (HW) and Integration & Test (I&T), or flight operations.

  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

  • Previous/current membership or leadership roles in professional groups, clubs, or extracurricular activities are desired

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $213,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939