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Inertial Navigation Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Arenatechnologies

Senior Intelligence Analyst

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$200 - $225/hr

Our work includes enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test ... Guidance & Navigation - Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), satellite-aided navigation, and terminal ...

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Inertial Navigation Engineer information

What does an inertial navigation engineer do?

An Inertial Navigation Engineer specializes in designing, developing, and maintaining systems that use accelerometers and gyroscopes to determine the position, orientation, and velocity of moving objects without relying on external references. These engineers work on technologies used in aircraft, spacecraft, submarines, and autonomous vehicles. Their responsibilities include creating algorithms for sensor data processing, testing navigation systems, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure accuracy and reliability in challenging environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an inertial navigation engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Inertial Navigation Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field, with expertise in navigation algorithms and sensor fusion. Familiarity with tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, Kalman filters, and inertial measurement units (IMUs), as well as experience with embedded systems and programming languages like C/C++, is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex technical information clearly are vital soft skills. These competencies are critical to developing accurate, reliable navigation systems for applications in aerospace, defense, and autonomous vehicles.

How does an inertial navigation engineer typically collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams during the development of navigation systems?

As an Inertial Navigation Engineer, you will frequently work alongside hardware designers, software developers, and systems engineers to integrate inertial sensors into navigation solutions. Collaboration often involves participating in design reviews, troubleshooting integration issues, and ensuring that sensor data is accurately interpreted by system algorithms. Clear communication and teamwork are essential, as you'll be translating complex technical requirements and results between different specialties to ensure the overall reliability and performance of the navigation system.

What is the difference between Inertial Navigation Engineer vs GPS Navigation Engineer?

AspectInertial Navigation EngineerGPS Navigation Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, specialized in inertial systemsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, aerospace, defense, autonomous vehiclesNavigation systems development, mapping, mobile devices, automotive
Industry UsageMilitary, aerospace, autonomous systemsConsumer electronics, automotive, outdoor navigation
Comparison Search IntentUnderstanding inertial vs satellite-based navigationDeveloping or improving GPS-based systems

Inertial Navigation Engineers focus on developing systems that use inertial sensors to determine position without external signals, ideal for environments where GPS signals are unavailable. GPS Navigation Engineers work on satellite-based positioning systems, common in consumer devices and automotive applications. Both roles require strong engineering backgrounds but differ in technology focus and application environments.

What are popular job titles related to Inertial Navigation Engineer jobs in Washington?

For Inertial Navigation Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Inertial Navigation Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Inertial Navigation Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Inertial Navigation Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Inertial Navigation Engineer job openings:

Inertial Navigation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Inertial Navigation Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution.

Senior Engineer, State Estimation (R5165)

Shield AI

Washington, DC

$160K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company whose mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. In pursuit of this mission, Shield AI is building the world’s best AI pilot. Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown a fighter jet (F-16), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (X-BAT), and a quadcopter (Nova). The company has offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington DC and abroad. Shield AI’s products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. allies.  As a State Estimation Engineer, you will work on the GNC team to develop and optimize algorithms that process and fuse data from various sensors to provide accurate, reliable state estimates, enabling the X-BAT to operate autonomously in complex and contested environments. 
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
  • Develop and implement advanced sensor algorithms for processing data from IMUs, radar, cameras, GPS, and other sensors.  
  • Enhance state estimation algorithms by integrating multi-sensor data for improved accuracy and robustness. 
  • Design and implement real-time sensor data processing pipelines. 
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, autonomy researchers, and hardware engineers, to ensure seamless integration of state estimation algorithms.  
  • Conduct experiments and field tests to validate the performance of state estimation algorithms in real-world scenarios.  
  • Stay updated with the latest advancements in sensor technologies and state estimation , applying them to our systems.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 4 years and a Master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
  • Experience developing and deploying real-time sensor processing algorithms, e.g. with cameras, radar, IMUs, GPS, etc.  
  • Solid understanding of state estimation techniques, such as Kalman filters, particle filters, etc.  
  • Experience with C++ 11 or newer  
  • Experience with Linux, command line tools, etc.  
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.  
  • Proven track record of successfully shipping products, showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles, overcome obstacles, and deliver high-quality solutions to meet project deadlines and exceed expectations in a fast-paced environment.  
  • You have a demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others.
  • Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Experience in implementing inertial navigation algorithms on real-time processing systems  
  • Knowledge of computer vision techniques  
  • Proficiency in optimizing algorithms for compute-constrained systems  
  • Experience with CUDA or other hardware acceleration technologies (e.g. FPGAs)  
  • Proven track record of transitioning from R&D to production
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.