Engineer Guidance Navigation Control 2

PDS Defense, Inc.

Chandler (AZ)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 150,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Direct deposit

Free career counseling services

401(k)

Select paid holidays

Short-term disability insurance

Skills training

Employee referral bonus

Affordable medical coverage plan

DailyPay

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. in Chandler, AZ seeks an Engineer Guidance Navigation Control 2 to help design, analyze and test GNC algorithms for advanced missile systems.

You will build 6‑DOF simulations, integrate hardware and software, and apply Kalman filtering and state estimation to improve seeker performance. Collaborate with senior engineers to develop high‑quality flight software in Linux with MATLAB/Simulink, Python and C/C++.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree with 2 years of professional experience or Master's with 0 years required.
Advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred; strong control systems background and seeker knowledge.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, implement, verify and test flight and simulation software.
Develop and maintain 6-DOF simulations to design, analyze, and test flight algorithms and code.
Optimize flight and simulation software for performance, robustness and maintainability.
Use trajectory optimization and analysis tools to evaluate mission performance and GNC designs.

Skills

GNC concepts

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Linux environment

Aerospace systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Aerospace/Mechanical Eng

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred

Tools

Jira

Linux tooling

Job description

Engineering

Engineer Guidance Navigation Control 2 Chandler, AZ Posted: 9/29/2026

Job ID#: 226548

Job Category: Engineering

Position Type: Associate - W2

Duration: 52

Shift: 1

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Engineer Guidance Navigation Control 2, in Chandler, AZ. Job ID#226548

Job Description

In this role, you will help develop and evaluate guidance, navigation, and control systems for advanced aerospace applications, with a focus on seeker‑based missile engagements and precision intercept performance. You will apply mathematical models, control theory, and state estimation techniques to design and analyze algorithms that process seeker measurements and drive guidance and control laws. Your work will include building and maintaining six‑degree-of-freedom (6‑DOF) simulations, integrating hardware and software components, and performing detailed performance assessments to ensure system reliability and mission success. You will work closely with experienced engineers to grow your expertise in seeker modeling, tracking algorithms, and advanced GNC techniques.

Responsibilities include designing, developing, implementing, verifying, and testing high‑quality flight and simulation software; developing and maintaining 6‑DOF simulations to design, analyze, and test flight algorithms and code; optimizing flight and simulation software for performance, robustness, and maintainability; and using trajectory optimization and analysis tools to evaluate mission performance and GNC designs. This position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required program access(es), within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company.

Basic Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's degree with 2 years of professional experience, or a Master's degree with 0 years of professional experience, in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering discipline. Must have an existing U.S. Government security clearance at the Secret level. Experience with guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) concepts, algorithms, or analysis. Experience with one or more of the following: MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or similar technical software tools, with development in a Linux environment. Experience supporting development, modeling, simulation, test, integration, or analysis of aerospace, missile, spacecraft, or autonomous systems.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering discipline. Strong foundation in control systems theory and guidance law development. Experience with state estimation and nonlinear filtering (e.g., Kalman Filter, Extended Kalman Filter, Unscented Kalman Filter). Domain knowledge in target tracking and seeker systems (infrared and/or radio frequency). Experience developing and validating target dynamics and measurement models. Experience with seeker measurements such as angle‑only measurements, line‑of‑sight (LOS) rate estimation, pixel/centroid‑based measurements for infrared seekers, and/or range, range‑rate (Doppler), azimuth/elevation, and angle‑only tracking for RF seekers. Familiarity with tracking concepts such as data association, track initiation and maintenance logic, and multi‑target tracking in the presence of false alarms and clutter. Proficiency in C/C++ and Python and experience with software development tools such as Jira in a Linux environment.

Benefits

direct deposit
free career counseling services
401(k)
select paid holidays
short-term disability insurance
skills training
employee referral bonus
affordable medical coverage plan
DailyPay (in some locations)

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance: Secret
Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: