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Navigation Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

WR Systems

Navigation Test Director

Norfolk, VA

$61K - $105K/yr

WR has a potential opportunity for a Navigation Test Director for an exciting and challenging role supporting the Navigation Systems ISEA (In Service Engineering Activity) in conducting Navigation ...

WR Systems

Navigation Test Director

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$61K - $105K/yr

WR has a potential opportunity for a Navigation Test Director for an exciting and challenging role supporting the Navigation Systems ISEA (In Service Engineering Activity) in conducting Navigation ...

WR Systems

Navigation Test Director

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$61K - $105K/yr

WR has a potential opportunity for a Navigation Test Director for an exciting and challenging role supporting the Navigation Systems ISEA (In Service Engineering Activity) in conducting Navigation ...

WR Systems

Navigation Test Director

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$61K - $105K/yr

WR has a potential opportunity for a Navigation Test Director for an exciting and challenging role supporting the Navigation Systems ISEA (In Service Engineering Activity) in conducting Navigation ...

GBS Group

IC Navigation Technician

Virginia Beach, VA · On-site

Description Navigation Systems Technician (IC Tech) Responsibilities include but are not limited to ... Comply with engineering documentation standards, engineering plans, and system specifications and ...

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Navigation Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$35.5K

$115.1K

$163.9K

How much do navigation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for navigation engineer in Virginia is $115,097.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,472.00 and $144,907.00 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 Virginia? The most popular types of Navigation Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Navigation Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Navigation Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Navigation Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Navigation Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
Navigation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Navigation Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,097 per year, or $55.3 per hour.
Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer - Level 2

Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer - Level 2

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Mclean, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 352 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

107th of 528 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: None
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
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. 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 - Level 2 supporting a team located in McLean and Dulles, VA, you'll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one.
This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
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 position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
This position is contingent upon the candidate verifying and/or obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
Basic Qualifications:
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Top-Secret (TS) security clearance and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) approval/access [TS/SCI] within a reasonable period of time. US citizenship is required.
  • Level 2: Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 2 years of relevant engineering experience - OR - Master's degree with a minimum of 0 years of relevant engineering experience [May consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a completed degree]
  • 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:
  • Active TS/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

If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!
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: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00
The 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

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