Engineer Guidance Navigation Control 3

Actalent; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 138,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent seeks an Engineer Guidance Navigation Control to design, develop, and validate advanced GNC software and simulation toolchains for missile and aerospace flight systems. You will implement autopilot and guidance algorithms, build highfidelity modeling frameworks, and analyze trajectory data to meet demanding mission requirements.

You will collaborate with software/hardware teams across disciplines to deliver robust solutions, using Python, MATLAB, and C++ in Linux environments, while

Qualifications

• Bachelors with 5+ years of professional experience or Masters with 2+ years in aerospace engineering.
• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
• Min 2+ years applying GNC principles to missile/aerospace systems.
• Min 2+ years developing autopilot or guidance algorithms.
• Min 2+ years modeling vehicle dynamics in high-fidelity sims.
• Experience with 3DOF/6DOF missile or autonomous vehicle sims.
• Experience C++ development in Linux or RT environments.
• Experience with Python or MATLAB scripting.
• Experience with sensor fusion and state estimation.
• Experience integrating threat protection into guidance and control systems.
• Experience processing large data sets for validation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, verify, and test software and simulation toolchains for flight systems.
• Develop and integrate autopilot and guidance algorithms into flight code.
• Integrate algorithms into vehicle flight software with hardware teams.
• Use trajectory optimization tools to analyze mission scenarios.
• Create scripts in Python/MATLAB to capture customer requirements and quantify performance.
• Build, validate, and maintain highfidelity modeling and simulation frameworks.
• Improve simulation fidelity with advanced modeling techniques.
• Plan and execute rigorous testing of simulation models and resolve discrepancies.
• Analyze large data sets to verify system and simulation performance.
• Ensure simulation outcomes meet mission objectives and specs.
• Support threat protection, tracking, discrimination, and survivability integration.
• Apply sensor fusion and state estimation to improve performance.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and tooling for GNC development.
• Perform other related engineering duties as assigned.

Skills

GNC principles

C++ in Linux

Python scripting

MATLAB scripting

Sensor fusion

State estimation

Trajectory optimization

High-fidelity modeling

Simulation toolchains

Autopilot algorithms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

Linux

Real-time embedded systems

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Job Title: Engineer Guidance Navigation Control 3Job Description

This role focuses on designing, developing, and validating advanced guidance, navigation, and control software and simulation toolchains for missile and aerospace flight systems. You will create and integrate autopilot and guidance algorithms into flight software, build highfidelity modeling and simulation frameworks, and analyze complex trajectory and performance data to ensure that vehicle behavior meets demanding mission requirements. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary software and hardware teams to deliver robust, highquality solutions that support cuttingedge aerospace systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, verify, and test highquality software and simulation toolchains for missile and aerospace flight systems.

• Develop, implement, and integrate autopilot and guidance algorithms directly into missile and vehicle flight code.

• Integrate algorithms into the vehicles flight software in close collaboration with software and hardware engineering teams.

• Use trajectoryoptimization tools to generate, interpret, and analyze vehicle trajectory results for a wide range of mission scenarios.

• Modify or create new scripts using languages such as Python and MATLAB to capture customer requirements and quantify vehicle performance.

• Build, validate, and maintain modeling and simulation frameworks for aerospace vehicles and components across diverse operational scenarios.

• Enhance simulation fidelity by integrating advanced modeling techniques to support detailed system analysis and rigorous testing.

• Plan and execute rigorous testing and evaluation of simulation models, identifying discrepancies between simulated and realworld performance metrics and driving their resolution.

• Gather, postprocess, and analyze large, complex data sets to verify and validate system and simulation performance results.

• Ensure that simulation outcomes align with intended performance metrics, mission objectives, and system specifications.

• Support the analysis and integration of threat protection, tracking, discrimination, and survivability capabilities into guidance and control systems.

• Apply sensor fusion, state estimation, and target state estimation techniques to improve guidance, navigation, and tracking performance.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of tools, processes, and methodologies used for GNC development and simulation.

• Perform other related engineering duties as assigned to support program and organizational objectives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of professional experience, OR Master's degree with 2+ years of professional experience, OR PhD with 1+ years of professional experience in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

• Minimum 2+ years of experience applying Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) principles, algorithms, analysis, or system development for missile, aerospace, spacecraft, hypersonic, or autonomous vehicle systems.

• Minimum 2+ years of experience developing, implementing, or analyzing autopilot, guidance, seeker, tracking, discrimination, or flight control algorithms.

• Minimum 2+ years of experience modeling vehicle dynamics and conducting performance analysis using highfidelity simulation environments.

• Minimum 2+ years of experience developing, validating, or supporting 3DOF and/or 6DOF missile, aerospace, or autonomous vehicle simulations.

• Experience developing software in C++ within Linux or realtime embedded environments.

• Experience developing scripts and engineering tools using Python, MATLAB, or similar programming languages.

• Experience with sensor fusion algorithms, state estimation techniques, and target state estimation for aerospace, missile, or autonomous systems.

• Experience analyzing and integrating threat protection, tracking, discrimination, or survivability capabilities into guidance and control systems.

• Experience gathering, processing, and analyzing large data sets to validate system performance and simulation results.

• Working knowledge of navigation systems, state propagation, or advanced estimation techniques.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience applying machine learning, artificial intelligence, or datadriven approaches to guidance, navigation, targeting, tracking, autonomy, or vehicle performance analysis.

• Background in vehicle dynamics, GNC algorithm development, and highfidelity modeling for aerospace applications.

• Familiarity with workload management tools and CI/CD pipelines for software development and simulation workflows.

• Strong analytical and problemsolving abilities with attention to detail in validating complex simulation and flight performance results.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and communicate technical findings clearly to diverse stakeholders.

• Demonstrated curiosity and interest in pioneering new approaches to aerospace guidance, navigation, and control challenges.

Work Environment

The role supports a fully flexible schedule, enabling a modern work arrangement that balances onsite collaboration with remote productivity as appropriate to project needs. You will work in a highly technical aerospace environment that emphasizes innovation, intellectual curiosity, and collaborative problemsolving. The engineering culture values bold ideas, rigorous analysis, and continuous learning, with opportunities to contribute to advanced missile and aerospace systems that shape the future of flight and national defense. You will work with highfidelity simulation environments, C++ in Linux and realtime embedded systems, and scripting tools such as Python and MATLAB, supported by contemporary software development practices and pipelines. The environment encourages bringing your whole self to work, engaging with diverse perspectives, and contributing to ambitious projects that aim to achieve what others consider impossible.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Chandler, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100.00 - $115.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Chandler, AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 2, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chandler,AZ.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.