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Navigation Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apple

ML Engineer - Maps Navigation

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$181K - $318K/yr

Description As a Machine Learning Engineer on our team you'll develop and optimize machine learning models which power our traffic predictions and navigation products. Your work will ensure that ...

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Navigation Engineer information

See California salary details

$35.7K

$115.9K

$165K

How much do navigation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for navigation engineer in California is $115,890.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,089.00 and $145,905.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To excel as a Navigation Engineer, you need strong analytical skills, a background in engineering or computer science, and expertise in navigation algorithms and sensor integration. Experience with tools such as MATLAB, GNSS software suites, inertial navigation systems, and certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) or relevant industry credentials are valuable. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork and communication are important soft skills in this field. These qualifications are crucial for developing accurate, reliable navigation solutions and collaborating efficiently on multidisciplinary projects.

What are common challenges faced by Navigation Engineers in their daily work?

Navigation Engineers often face the challenge of ensuring precise positioning and navigation under varying environmental conditions, such as urban canyons or signal interference areas. They must troubleshoot and optimize complex sensor fusion algorithms to maintain system accuracy and reliability. This role typically requires close collaboration with software developers, hardware engineers, and project managers to implement robust solutions and quickly address technical issues as they arise. Staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in navigation technology is also key to meeting the evolving needs of clients or industries.

What is a Navigation Engineer job?

A Navigation Engineer designs, develops, and maintains navigation systems for aerospace, marine, automotive, or robotic applications. They work with technologies like GPS, inertial navigation, and sensor fusion to ensure precise positioning and movement. Their role involves software development, algorithm design, and troubleshooting to improve navigation accuracy and reliability. These engineers often collaborate with other specialists in aerospace, robotics, or transportation industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Navigation Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Navigation Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Navigation Engineer jobs in California? For Navigation Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Navigation Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Navigation Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Navigation Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Navigation Engineer job openings:
Navigation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Navigation Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,890 per year, or $55.7 per hour.
Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer, Navigation

Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer, Navigation

Relativity Space

Long Beach, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

About the Team: 

The Avionics team is responsible for the full lifecycle of Terran R's nervous system, designing, building, testing, installing, and operating the hardware that connects and controls every major electrical system on the vehicle and ground. The team leverages close partnership between avionics design, manufacturing, and test to enable rapid iteration and feedback loops. Engineers are deeply embedded into other functions within Relativity, working closely with propulsion, GNC, fluids, and stage engineering teams to ensure seamless integration and operation. Now is a unique time to join: you'll get to help shape Terran R's fundamental avionics architecture and be given a high degree of ownership on components that will fly. 

About the Role: 

In this role you will be responsible for owning the development, test and integration of navigation system avionics used within the Terran R launch vehicle. You will work with cross-functional partner teams across the company, conducting architectural trades, developing acceptance and qualification test plans, while being responsible for critical sensory infrastructure allowing for the landing, recovery, and reuse of the vehicle booster stage. A strong candidate for the role will have a deep technical background in navigation system electronics and experience integrating GNSS receiver systems and inertial measurement sensors into high-dynamic environments, while serving as a subject matter expert on the navigation sensor suite and its respective operational needs. 

About You: 

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field 
  • 5+ years of experience in electronics designed for harsh environments and mission-critical applications such as launch vehicles, spacecraft, aircraft, or robotics 
  • In-depth knowledge of GNSS systems, including PVT calculation, satellite tracking/acquisition, and error sources 
  • Solid understanding of IMUs, including gyroscopes and accelerometers, their operating principles, error characteristics, and integration with other navigation sensors 
  • Experience with hardware bring-up, validation, debugging, and data analysis 
  • Experience working with highly cross-functional teams (GNC, mechanical, electrical, software, etc.) to develop integrated electronics solutions 

 Nice to haves, but not required: 

  • A deep understanding of navigation principles and mixed signal PCBA design 
  • Experience in aerospace, automotive, defense or similar industries where precise navigation is critical 
  • Experience in combining data from various navigation sensors (GPS, IMU, magnetometers, altimeters, LiDAR, etc.) to achieve robust and accurate navigation solutions 
  • Experience with high-speed serial interfaces (SPI, PCIe, Ethernet, etc.); memory interfaces; design for SoCs, microcontrollers, and microprocessors 

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