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Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer information

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$42K

$108.6K

$165K

How much do spacecraft guidance navigation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for spacecraft guidance navigation 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 does a Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer do?

A Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing the systems that control a spacecraft’s trajectory and orientation during its mission. They ensure the spacecraft can accurately navigate from launch to its destination, and perform necessary maneuvers in space. This involves working with sensors, control algorithms, and software to guide the spacecraft, as well as collaborating with other engineers to integrate these systems into the overall spacecraft design.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer?

To thrive as a Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, orbital mechanics, and control theory, usually supported by at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field. Proficiency with simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink, GN&C software, and familiarity with programming languages such as C++ or Python is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork skills help you excel in design reviews and mission-critical operations. These competencies ensure precise spacecraft trajectory control and mission success in the highly technical and collaborative environment of space missions.

What are some common challenges faced by Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineers during mission operations?

Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring precise trajectory control in the presence of unexpected disturbances, like space weather or onboard hardware anomalies. They must also troubleshoot real-time navigation errors, coordinate solutions with multidisciplinary teams, and adapt quickly to mission updates or new constraints. Effective communication and strong problem-solving skills are critical, as these engineers frequently collaborate with mission control, systems engineers, and software developers to maintain spacecraft safety and mission objectives.

What is the difference between Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer vs Spacecraft Systems Engineer?

AspectSpacecraft Guidance Navigation EngineerSpacecraft Systems Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and implementing guidance, navigation, and control systems for spacecraftOverseeing overall spacecraft system integration and functionality
Required SkillsNavigation algorithms, control systems, orbital mechanicsSystems engineering, integration, testing, and project management
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, mission control, aerospace companiesDesign offices, project teams, aerospace firms
CertificationsTypically none specific, but aerospace engineering credentials preferredSystems engineering certifications (e.g., INCOSE)

While both roles are vital in spacecraft development, the Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer specializes in navigation and control systems, ensuring precise spacecraft movement. The Spacecraft Systems Engineer oversees the entire spacecraft system integration, focusing on overall functionality and mission success. Both roles often collaborate closely but differ in their core responsibilities and expertise areas.

What are popular job titles related to Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer jobs?

For Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer - Journeyman

Titusville, FL • On-site

AVTC Group
See more jobs at AVTC Groupexternal

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer - Journeyman
Onsite Kennedy Space Center /Florida- No hybrid or remote is available.
NASA or AEROSPACE Exp
US Citizens or Perm Residents Only
These are immediate interviews for the right candidates.
Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer - Journeyman
We are looking for a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer to join our team supporting advanced spaceflight programs at NASA Kennedy Space Center.
The GN&C Engineer supports the development, analysis, verification, and integration of guidance, navigation, and control systems for spacecraft and other flight systems. This role provides technical support across GN&C, mission design, trajectory analysis, and navigation, allowing the engineer to contribute across multiple areas based on program needs.
This position will be filled at the Journeyman level, depending on qualifications, with salary commensurate with experience.
Key Responsibilities
  • Support GN&C, mission design, trajectory analysis, and navigation activities as needed to address program priorities and fill engineering gaps.
  • Review GN&C architectures, requirements, designs, integration approaches, test plans, and test data to evaluate technical adequacy, identify risks, and develop recommendations.
  • Develop and execute trajectory, attitude, and 6-DOF spacecraft simulations and perform analysis supporting GN&C performance and mission objectives.
  • Support mission design and trajectory analysis, including trajectory development, maneuver planning, orbit and attitude analysis, and rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD).
  • Analyze spacecraft navigation architectures and sensor suites, including sensor performance, accuracy, availability, observability, and suitability for GPS-denied and deep-space missions.
  • Support navigation analysis involving state estimation, sensor fusion, and interactions between navigation sensors, flight software, guidance algorithms, and vehicle dynamics.
  • Develop, review, and assess GN&C requirements, verification approaches, and verification evidence in support of system verification and validation.
  • Support development, integration, verification, testing, and operation of spacecraft GN&C systems and associated sensors.
  • Evaluate GN&C analyses, simulations, technical documentation, and test results to identify technical risks, uncertainties, and potential deficiencies, and support anomaly investigations and corrective actions.
  • Evaluate technical tradeoffs involving performance, risk, schedule, cost, and implementation complexity and communicate recommendations to engineering and program leadership.
  • Analyze GN&C interfaces with avionics, flight software, propulsion, mission design, structures, and other spacecraft systems.
  • Participate in technical reviews, testing, and engineering exchanges and communicate technical findings and recommendations to technical and programmatic stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
  • B.S. degree in Engineering or related discipline and 5+ years of related experience, or M.S. degree in Engineering or related discipline and 3+ years of related experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in one or more areas of spacecraft GN&C, mission design and trajectory analysis, navigation, or related flight dynamics, with the ability and interest to contribute across adjacent technical areas.
  • Experience developing or analyzing GN&C algorithms and spacecraft simulations, including 6-DOF modeling.
  • Experience with engineering analysis and simulation tools such as MATLAB, Python, C++, or equivalent.
  • Experience developing or evaluating spacecraft requirements, verification approaches, and success criteria.
  • Experience with spacecraft GN&C systems, navigation sensors, integration, verification, testing, or operations.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. Government background investigation.
  • Strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills, with the ability to coordinate across multiple technical disciplines.
Preferred Qualifications
  • M.S. degree in a related discipline.
  • Experience with deep-space missions or GPS-denied navigation.
  • Experience with spacecraft navigation sensors, state estimation, sensor fusion, or autonomous navigation.
  • Experience with mission design, trajectory development, rendezvous/proximity operations, or maneuver analysis.
  • Experience with spacecraft flexible-body dynamics, propellant slosh, or other spacecraft dynamics effects in low-gravity environments.
  • Strong proficiency in C++ and experience developing or using mission-specific GN&C simulation or analysis software.
  • Experience with trajectory and mission-analysis tools.
  • Experience working with commercial spaceflight or launch service providers.
  • Experience with deep-space or other safety-critical spaceflight systems.

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