AHT - GNC Engineer: Autopilot – Level 3 or 4 (Space) Chandler

0902 SP - Launch Vehicles; United States; On-site; USD 98,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector in Chandler, AZ is seeking a GNC Engineer: Autopilot at Level 3 or 4 for on-site work. You will develop, verify, and test 6DOF simulations and flight-code toolchains, focusing on missile guidance and autopilot algorithms.

Mentoring junior engineers and occasional travel are expected. Responsibilities include building 6DOF models, implementing control algorithms, and validating performance in a Linux/C++ environment using MATLAB and Python.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of professional experience OR Master’s with 3+ years OR PhD with 1+ year
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance
• Experience designing, tuning, implementing, and testing guidance algorithms and autopilot parameters for guided missiles and/or interceptors
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining analysis tools in C++, MATLAB and Python in a Linux environment

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, verify, and test software and simulation toolchains.
• Create and maintain 6DOF simulation models to evaluate missile system and flight-code performance.
• Design, tune, implement, and test missile guidance algorithms and autopilot parameters.
• Develop and test missile autopilot and control-system solutions, including stability analysis.
• Apply missile flight dynamics, classical control theory, and modern control theory to support guided missile and interceptor development.
• Build and maintain analysis tools using C++, MATLAB, and Python.
• Develop C++ software in a Linux environment.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to early-career engineers.

Skills

C++

MATLAB

Python

Missile guidance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Linux

C++ tooling

MATLAB tooling

Python tooling

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

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 GNC Engineer: Autopilot - Level 3 or Level 4 located in Chandler, AZ, 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. In this role, you will develop, verify, and test 6DOF simulation models and software toolchains used to evaluate missile flight code and overall system performance. You will bring deep expertise in missile flight dynamics, guidance algorithms, autopilot design, control systems, and stability analysis, along with hands-on development in C++, MATLAB, and Python within a Linux environment. You will also mentor early-career team members and may support limited travel. Preferred experience includes hypersonic missile GNC, AEGIS, IR discrimination and tracking, and state estimation or propagation techniques. This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, verify, and test software and simulation toolchains.
• Create and maintain 6DOF simulation models to evaluate missile system and flight-code performance.
• Design, tune, implement, and test missile guidance algorithms and autopilot parameters.
• Develop and test missile autopilot and control-system solutions, including stability analysis.
• Apply missile flight dynamics, classical control theory, and modern control theory to support guided missile and interceptor development.
• Build and maintain analysis tools using C++, MATLAB, and Python.
• Develop C++ software in a Linux environment.
• Support design and test activities for missile flight code and related system performance evaluations.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to early-career engineers.
• Travel up to 10% as needed to support program activities.
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications for Level 3

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience.
• Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
• Experience designing, tuning, implementing, and testing guidance algorithms and autopilot parameters for guided missiles and/or interceptors.
• Previous experience in designing, implementing, and testing missile autopilot systems, including exposure to multiple control system schemes for guided missiles and linear stability analysis.
• Strong understanding of missile control systems, including classical and modern control theory.
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining analysis tools in C++, MATLAB and Python.
• Proficiency in C++ development in a Linux environment.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python toolchains
• Ability to travel 10% of the time

Basic Qualifications for Level 4

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience.
• Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
• Experience designing, tuning, implementing, and testing guidance algorithms and autopilot parameters for guided missiles and/or interceptors.
• Previous experience in designing, implementing, and testing missile autopilot systems, including exposure to multiple control system schemes for guided missiles and linear stability analysis.
• Strong understanding of missile control systems, including classical and modern control theory.
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining analysis tools in C++, MATLAB and Python.
• Proficiency in C++ development in a Linux environment.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python toolchains
• Ability to travel 10% of the time

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing, tuning, implementing, and testing guidance algorithms and autopilot parameters for guided missiles and/or interceptors.
• Previous experience in designing, implementing, and testing missile autopilot systems, including exposure to multiple control system schemes for guided missiles and linear stability analysis.
• Strong understanding of missile control systems, including classical and modern control theory.
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining analysis tools in C++, MATLAB and Python.
• Proficiency in C++ development in a Linux environment.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python toolchains
• Ability to travel 10% of the time

Salary

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00 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.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. 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 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.

Equal Opportunity and Citizenship

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.

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space - our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.