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Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

OR · On-site

$190K - $260K/yr

The Role As a Principal GNC engineer, you will be a core driver of the overall spacecraft GNC ... spacecraft's guidance, attitude control, and attitude and orbit estimation systems. You will ...

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Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer information

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$42K

$108.6K

$165K

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

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for guidance navigation control gnc engineer in the United States is $108,638.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Guidance Navigation Control GNC Engineer job?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer position, and why are they important?

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 typical projects or responsibilities can a Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer expect on a daily basis?

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.

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Infographic showing various Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.
Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer, Air Dominance & Strike

Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer, Air Dominance & Strike

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Anduril's Flight Engineering department is part of the Air Dominance and Strike organization, we are seeking Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineers to join our team. The Anduril Flight Engineering team is integral to development of flight system solutions in all domains for our warfighters. As a critical member of our team, the role of a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer is pivotal in driving the design, development, testing, and implementation of cutting-edge flight system technologies for our aerospace systems. Anduril fosters a dynamic learning culture, characterized by accelerated knowledge acquisition through modeling, simulation, analysis, and rigorous and frequent ground and flight test experimentation. At Anduril, you will be involved in flight testing the systems you develop.
 
We are currently looking for highly skilled GNC Engineers with expertise in autonomous safety-critical systems to join our team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in developing, testing, and implementing GNC systems and architectures for our aerospace programs. This includes missiles, unmanned air vehicles, and related technology.
ANDURIL PRODUCTS
Anduril has been selected as one of two vendors to move forward on the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program for the Air Force's flagship autonomous aircraft program. During the next phase, Anduril will design, manufacture, and test production-representative CCAs. We are honored to be part of the program as a non-traditional defense company and are seeking highly motivated candidates to join us in the rapid development of a new, revolutionary aircraft. For more information on the latest with Anduril, visit our Newsroom. Watch this short video showcasing our products at Anduril.
Products these teams work on: 
Fury
Barracuda
Roadrunner
Omen
 
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Develop, implement, and test algorithms for guidance, navigation, and control systems in line with project requirements.
  • Design, implement, and assess the GNC architectures considering all elements, including spacecraft, sensors, actuators, and algorithms.
  • Use MDAO techniques for the design and optimization of GNC systems, balancing performance, cost, and risk factors.
  • Participate in all phases of system development, from concept to design, prototyping, testing, and operation.
  • Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team including systems engineers, flight software engineers, and test engineers to ensure system-wide integration and performance.
  • Contribute to design reviews, safety assessments, and system documentation.
  • Use simulation and analysis tools to verify GNC models and system performance under different operating conditions.
  • Provide system engineering expertise in the development of GNC systems, ensuring a cohesive and efficient approach to the design and implementation process.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to GNC systems during design, testing, and operational phases.
  • Keep updated with the latest technologies and trends in GNC engineering and system architecture design.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • BS in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering or related field with focus on dynamics and control
  • 3 or more years of experience in Guidance, Navigation & Control engineering or related technical experience
  • A strong theoretical knowledge of classical and modern control theory, estimation, and filtering techniques.
  • Experience with developing GNC solutions for flight systems.
  • Proficiency with GNC simulation tools like MATLAB, Simulink and related toolboxes.
  • Familiarization with 6-DOF simulations.
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is a plus
  • Strong understanding of flight mechanics and related physics.
  • Practical experience developing GNC designs for flight systems.
  • Extensive experience in GNC system and architecture development and testing, preferably in the aerospace industry.
  • Experience generating in C or C++ code from Simulink models.
  • Proven experience in applying MDAO methods and tools in the design of complex systems.
  • Experience with direct and indirect trajectory optimization methods and  familiarity with trajectory optimization libraries (e.g., GPOPS-ii, DIDO, Dymos, CasADi, or IPOPT)
  • Experience writing code in C/C++ or Rust 
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
  • Familiarity with agile and Lean product development methodologies such as Scrum.
  • Experience using Jira, Git, GitHub, or GitLab
  • Understanding of and compliance with industry, safety, and quality standards appropriate for the application
  • Passion for defending the United States and its allies
  • Current Active U.S. Top Secret clearance preferred

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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