Engineer Guidance Navigation Control 3

Apex Systems; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Everforth Apex is seeking a Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer (GNC) in Chandler, AZ, onsite only. The role focuses on seeker modeling, target tracking, and advanced GNC algorithms for missile and launch vehicle systems.

A Secret clearance is required to start, with a 9/80 schedule and every other Friday off. You will lead algorithm design, develop and validate 6-DOF simulations, and collaborate across teams to ensure system reliability and mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical engineering or related field with required experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and evaluation of guidance, navigation, and control systems for advanced aerospace applications.
• Own algorithm design and analysis tasks using mathematical models, control theory, and state estimation.
• Architect and maintain 6-DOF simulations, define performance metrics, and integrate hardware/software.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical direction on seeker and tracking approaches.
• Lead design, development, verification, and test of flight and simulation software.
• Define and execute trajectory analysis campaigns and present results to leadership.

Skills

GNC concepts

Seeker tracking

Leadership

Python/C++

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/Aerospace/Mechanical

Master's degree (desired)

PhD (optional)

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Linux

Job description

Job#: 3054106

Job Description:

Candidates must be U.S. citizens able to obtain and/or maintain a Department of Defense security clearance as a condition and continuation of employment.

Guidance Navigation Control Engineer 3

Location: Chandler, Arizona (Onsite)

Clearance: Secret Clearance

Role Overview

This organization invites you to bring your pioneering spirit and technical leadership to collaborative teams. As a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer, you will take a lead role in missions of national importance, with a strong emphasis on seeker modeling, target tracking, and advanced GNC algorithms for missile and launch vehicle systems. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work. This role will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and evaluation of guidance, navigation, and control systems for advanced aerospace applications, focusing on seeker-based missile engagements and precision intercept performance.
• Own key algorithm design and analysis tasks, applying mathematical models, control theory, and state estimation techniques to process complex seeker measurements and drive guidance and control laws.
• Architect and maintain six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) simulations, define performance metrics, integrate hardware and software components, and conduct rigorous performance assessments and trade studies.
• Mentor early-career engineers, provide technical direction on seeker and tracking approaches, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system reliability and mission success.
• Lead the design, development, implementation, verification, and test of high-quality flight and simulation software.
• Own the design and maintenance of 6-DOF simulations used to develop, analyze, and validate flight algorithms and code.
• Optimize flight and simulation software for performance, robustness, and maintainability.
• Define and execute analysis campaigns using trajectory optimization and evaluation tools and present technical results, risks, and recommendations to program leadership.

Required Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree with 5 years of professional experience, or a Master's degree with 3 years of professional experience, or a PhD with 0 years of professional experience. The degree must be in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Experience: Demonstrated experience with guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) concepts, algorithms, or analysis for aerospace or missile systems. Experience leading or significantly contributing to development, modeling, simulation, test, integration, or analysis activities for aerospace, missile, spacecraft, or autonomous systems.

Technical Skills: Proficiency with one or more of the following: MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or similar technical software tools, with development in a Linux environment.

Must have an active DOD secret clearance or be willing and able to maintain a DOD Secret clearance prior to starting work on the program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DOD Secret clearance
• An advanced degree (MS or PhD) in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• A strong foundation in control systems theory, guidance law development, and flight software implementation.
• Experience with state estimation and nonlinear filtering (e.g., Kalman Filter, Extended Kalman Filter, Unscented Kalman Filter), including tuning and performance assessment in realistic scenarios.
• Deep domain knowledge in target tracking and seeker systems (infrared and/or radio frequency), including requirements definition and algorithm design.
• Experience developing and validating target dynamics and measurement models and integrating them into end-to-end 6-DOF simulations.
• 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.
• Experience with data association methods, track initiation and maintenance logic, and multi-target tracking in the presence of false alarms and clutter.
• Proven ability to lead small technical teams or work packages, mentor junior engineers, and communicate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python and experience with software development tools such as Jira, version control, and continuous integration workflows in a Linux environment.

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing® in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work® in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.

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