Guidance & Navigation Engineer

Pace XL Ltd.; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Private Medical & Dental

Cycle to work scheme

Lunchtime catering on site

Job summary

Cambridge Aerospace is hiring a Guidance & Navigation Engineer in Cambridge to develop guidance, navigation and control capabilities for autonomous aerial systems. You will move from concept to tested, deployable solutions supporting air defence platforms, working with cross-functional teams on algorithm design and validation.

Requirements include degrees in aerospace/robotics, strong state estimation knowledge, and hands-on Python/C++ with ROS2.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of guidance, navigation, and state estimation methods (EKF/UKF/particle filters/VO).
• Experience with detection and tracking using onboard sensors.
• Proficiency in Python and C++ for algorithm development and deployment.
• Familiarity with ROS2, sensor fusion frameworks, and simulation tools.
• Background in UAV dynamics and autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement guidance algorithms for trajectory generation and mission execution.
• Design navigation/state estimation for UAVs, incl. GPS-denied environments.
• Work on detection, tracking and sensor fusion (IR/IMU/LiDAR/radar).
• Integrate GN algorithms with control and perception systems.
• Build and validate solutions using SIL and HITL before deployment.
• Analyse flight data to refine algorithms and ensure robust performance.
• Collaborate across hardware, control, and perception teams for full autonomy.

Skills

Python

C++

ROS2

Sensor fusion

UAV dynamics

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Aerospace Engineering/Robotics/CS

Tools

Simulation tools

Sensor fusion frameworks

Job description

As a Guidance & Navigation Engineer, you will develop the guidance, navigation and control capability that determines how our vehicles move, manoeuvre, and reach their objectives. From mission‑level requirements through algorithm design and implementation, you will build the logic that enables precise, reliable flight in dynamic environments. Your work will take critical guidance systems from early concepts into tested, deployable capability supporting air defence platforms from development through operational use.

Overview

As a Guidance & Navigation Engineer, you will develop the guidance, navigation and control capability that determines how our vehicles move, manoeuvre, and reach their objectives. From mission‑level requirements through algorithm design and implementation, you will build the logic that enables precise, reliable flight in dynamic environments. Your work will take critical guidance systems from early concepts into tested, deployable capability supporting air defence platforms from development through operational use.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement guidance algorithms for trajectory generation, path following, and mission execution

• Design navigation and state estimation algorithms for UAVs, with emphasis on GPS-denied environments

• Work on detection, tracking, and sensor fusion (e.g., IR, IMU, radar, LiDAR)

• Integrate GN algorithms with control and perception systems

• Build and validate solutions using SIL and HITL setups before deployment

• Analyse flight data to refine algorithms and ensure robust, reliable performance

• Collaborate across hardware, control, and perception teams to deliver full autonomy

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related field

• Strong knowledge of guidance, navigation, and state estimation methods (e.g., EKF, UKF, particle filters, visual-inertial odometry)

• Experience with detection and tracking of objects using onboard sensors

• Proficiency in Python and C++ for algorithm development and deployment

• Familiarity with ROS2, sensor fusion frameworks, and simulation tools

• Background in UAV dynamics and autonomous systems

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Experience in fast-paced R&D or startup environments, with rapid prototype iteration times

• Experience in GPS-denied navigation (e.g., VIO, SLAM, radar/vision-aided navigation)

• Knowledge of multi-sensor fusion (IMU, GNSS, vision, LiDAR, radar)

• Hands-on experience with UAV platforms (simulation and/or flight testing)

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and stock options
• Private Medical & Dental
• Cycle to work scheme
• Lunchtime catering on site

About Us

The mission of Cambridge Aerospace is to eliminate the risk of existential war in Europe. That risk comes from the air – low-cost drones and cruise missiles now manufactured in colossal volumes by our adversaries, ballistic missiles capable of ending the world as we know it, and a new generation of hypersonic weapons that evade every existing defence.

We’re building low-cost interceptors that defeat these threats, and the surveillance systems to detect and target them – at a cost taxpayers can afford, at the pace the threat demands, and with sovereign supply chains that assure delivery.

We have immense backing from the world’s best venture funds. We’re one of the fastest growing defence technology companies in history. And we’re hiring the best engineers to prosecute the mission.

If you are in the top 1%, willing to work harder than you ever have, build technology better than anyone else, and contribute to the defining challenge of our time, now is the time to join us.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.