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Navigation Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Work within a team of engineers across disciplines to design innovative navigation systems that are often constrained by conflicting factors, including accuracy, operating environment, and cost.

Work within a team of engineers across disciplines to design innovative navigation systems that are often constrained by conflicting factors, including accuracy, operating environment, and cost.

The Aerospace Corporation is looking for a Systems Engineer (Project Engineer - Systems Engineering) . In this role, you will support NASA'sSpace Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Programwithin ...

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Navigation Systems Engineer information

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$53.5K

$127.2K

$167K

How much do navigation systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for navigation systems engineer in the United States is $127,215.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $157,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a navigation systems engineer do?

A Navigation Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining systems that determine and control the position, movement, and guidance of vehicles or devices. These engineers work with technologies such as GPS, inertial navigation, and sensor fusion to ensure accurate and reliable navigation. They often collaborate with teams in the aerospace, automotive, maritime, or robotics industries to integrate navigation solutions into larger systems. Their role includes testing, troubleshooting, and optimizing navigation algorithms and hardware to meet safety and performance standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a navigation systems engineer?

To thrive as a Navigation Systems Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or aerospace engineering, strong mathematical skills, and experience with navigation principles such as GPS, inertial navigation, and sensor fusion. Proficiency with simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink, embedded systems, and familiarity with relevant certifications such as DO-178C for software quality are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help set top candidates apart. These competencies are vital for developing accurate, reliable navigation solutions that meet stringent safety and performance standards in aerospace and related industries.

What are some common challenges faced by navigation systems engineers when integrating new technologies into existing platforms?

Navigation Systems Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new technologies, such as ensuring compatibility with legacy systems, maintaining signal integrity, and meeting stringent safety or regulatory requirements. These engineers must carefully validate and test new components to avoid disruptions in performance, often collaborating closely with software developers, hardware engineers, and project managers. Successful integration requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication across multidisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Navigation Systems Engineer vs GPS Software Engineer?

AspectNavigation Systems EngineerGPS Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in engineering, computer science, or related field; certifications in navigation or systems engineeringBachelor's or higher in computer science, electrical engineering; certifications in GPS technology or software development
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing navigation systems for vehicles, aerospace, or maritime applicationsDeveloping GPS algorithms and software for navigation devices and applications
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, defense, maritime industriesConsumer electronics, telecommunications, defense sectors
Common Search & ComparisonNavigation Systems EngineerGPS Software Engineer

While both roles focus on navigation technology, Navigation Systems Engineers design and integrate entire navigation systems, whereas GPS Software Engineers develop specific GPS algorithms and software components. The roles often overlap in industry and credentials but differ in scope and focus.

More about Navigation Systems Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Navigation Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Navigation Systems Engineer job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Navigation Systems Engineer jobs?

The top employers for Navigation Systems Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Navigation Systems Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Navigation Systems Engineer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Navigation Systems Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Navigation Systems Engineer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Navigation Systems Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,215 per year, or $61.2 per hour.

Senior Navigation Systems Engineer

Leidos

Huntsville, AL

$107K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 492 rated business services


Job description

The Contested Autonomy & Navigation Branch of the Leidos Innovations Center provides cutting-edge navigation for customers who can't rely on GPS alone, and we need your help in the Rocket City (Huntsville, AL)! This position offers both analytic and hands-on tasks, including development, simulation, analysis, and field testing of navigation algorithms. We perform research, development, and advanced prototyping for DARPA, NASA, Air Force Research Laboratory, Office of Naval Research, and Army Combat Capabilities Development Command engineering centers. These customers need to get our advanced technologies into the field! You'll work with other engineers in small teams using spiral or agile development to meet aggressive schedules aimed at live demonstrations and transition to fielded systems. Are you excited about making advanced technologies work in the real world? Then we want you on our team!

For more information about the work we do, please visit: https://www.leidos.com/products/assured-positioning-navigation-and-timing

Please note: This role is located in Huntsville, AL. There may be opportunity to telework up to 1 day/week.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Perform modeling, simulation, and analysis of a navigation system as part of a broader system simulation.
  • Conduct simulation trade studies to inform selection of navigation hardware meeting system requirements.
  • For developmental flight systems, lead the design of new algorithms and transition existing Leidos algorithms to produce software enabling accurate, real-time GPS-denied navigation.
  • Use and apply multiple sensor fusion algorithms, including extended Kalman filters, unscented Kalman filters, particle filters, and factor graphs.
  • Fuse simulated and real-world sensor inputs from inertial sensors, GPS, altimeters, cameras, altimeters, and other aiding sensors.
  • Work within a team of engineers across disciplines to design innovative navigation systems that are often constrained by conflicting factors, including accuracy, operating environment, and cost.
  • Travel individually and with a team to coordinate with teammates and customers across a large program; travel will typically last no more than a week at a time.
  • Present techniques, solutions, and results to the team and to customers.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in advanced technical field (electrical engineering, software engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or equivalent) and 8+ years of prior relevant experience or Master's degree with 6+ years of prior relevant experience.
  • 3+ years of relevant experience with one or more sensor fusion algorithms: extended Kalman filters, unscented Kalman filters, particle filters, or factor graphs.
  • Experience working with Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) in the context of a multi-sensor navigation system.
  • Good working knowledge of navigation architectures as part of a flight system involving closed-loop Guidance, Navigation, and Control software.
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute to dynamic simulations in MATLAB or similar environment.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including ability to work within an Integrated Product Team (IPT) and externally with other subsystem teams.
  • Ability to clearly articulate technical information, often to non-technical customers.
  • Must be a US Citizen with existing security clearance (Secret or above).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • PhD Degree in one of the majors listed above.
  • Familiarity with alternative navigation technologies to improve navigation performance in GPS-degraded environments.
  • Experience deploying navigation algorithms to real-time applications.
  • Experience with Linux, C++, and/or Python.
  • Experience with version control tools, especially Git or Subversion.
  • Experience conducting business in high OPSEC environment, including modeling, simulation, and software development.
  • Experience with specifying, testing and/or qualifying sensor hardware.
  • Working knowledge of computer vision techniques.
  • Eligibility for upgrade to Top Secret clearance.

NKE

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:May 21, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.


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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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