Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer

General Atomics; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) seeks a GNC Engineer III for its Huntsville, AL office. You will provide technical expertise in precision munition guidance, navigation and control algorithm design, and subsystem development, with simulation modeling and analysis for multiple weapon system projects.

The role requires strong C/C++ and FORTRAN coding, experience with high-fidelity flight simulations, DoD security clearance eligibility, and willingness to travel up to 25% on a 9x80

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in engineering with progressive experience (4+ years for bachelor’s or 2+ years for master’s).
• Solid foundation in guidance, navigation, and control concepts.
• Experience developing high-fidelity flight simulations for missiles, projectiles, or hypersonic vehicles.
• Strong C/C++ development and Git version control.
• GNC performance analysis using MATLAB or Python.
• Ability to communicate concepts and manage tasks in evolving environments.
• Eligibility to obtain DoD Secret clearance (or equivalent) with potential upgrade to Top Secret.

Responsibilities

• Develop GNC algorithms in C/C++/FORTRAN for six-DOF flight simulations.
• Support small–medium engineering teams on precision munition projects.
• Analyze simulation and flight-test data for model validation and improvements.
• Prepare design-review briefings and GNC deliverables.
• Collaborate daily with GNC and simulation engineers and other teams.
• Assist with proposals and technical white papers.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Git version control

Matlab/Python

GNC concepts

Flight simulation

DoD clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

FORTRAN

Job description

Job Summary
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We have an exciting opportunity in our Aerospace Systems Engineering Directorate for a Guidance, Navigation and Controls (GNC) Engineer III. This full-time position will be located at our Huntsville, AL office in Cummings Research Park. This position will provide technical expertise for precision munition guidance, navigation and control algorithm design and subsystem development, simulation modeling, and detailed analyses for one or more weapon system projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• With oversight from senior GNC engineers, develops guidance, navigation and/or control algorithms and implements them in C/C++ and FORTRAN based six degree-of-freedom flight simulations.
• Supports small-medium sized engineering teams during the development of precision munitions such as guided missiles, gun-launched projectiles, and hypersonic weapon systems.
• Analyzes simulation, ground test, and flight test data in support of simulation model validation and algorithm improvements.
• Supports simulation development and documentation using GA-EMS guidelines and best industry practices.
• Assists with the development of briefing materials for design reviews and GNC related deliverable data/documents.
• Supports peer reviews of GNC algorithms, simulation models, analysis tools, and other software modules as required.
• Collaborates daily with other GNC and simulation engineers as well as other engineering team members.
• Supports concept development activities for proposals and technical white papers.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Travel Expectations is less than 25%
• We operate on a 9x80 schedule with every other Friday off.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; four or more years of experience with a bachelors degree or two or more years of experience with a masters degree.
• Must have a solid foundation in guidance, navigation, and control concepts and principles.
• Prior experience with developing and using high fidelity flight simulations of missiles, projectiles or hypersonic vehicles is required.
• Must have strong skills in C and C++ code development as well as version control processes using Git.
• Must demonstrate strong GNC performance analysis capability using tools such as Matlab or Python.
• Must possess the ability to develop and communicate new concepts; apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; organize task assignments to complete work products on time; demonstrate good time management skills needed to support multiple programs simultaneously.
• Must have strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team; able to perform complex tasks in one or more engineering areas.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret level security clearance (or equivalent DOE security clearance), with the ability to upgrade to Top Secret if required.
• Must be willing to work extended hours to meet deadlines and increase probability of project success.
• Must be customer focused and able to work on a self-initiated basis or in a team environment and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Success in position requires consistent display of the following key abilities:
  • Strong initiative - Ability and desire to work closely with a small to medium sized multi-disciplinary team to rapidly develop and mature a new weapon system.
  • Excellent communication - The successful candidate will routinely document, develop, and present technical work products to stakeholders across the organization.
  • Rapid and effective problem solving – The successful candidate will identify issues, analyze and interpret data and develop innovative solutions to a variety of complex problems.
  • Schedule performance – completing work products in a timely manner on fast-paced development efforts contributes to the project’s schedule success.

Desired Job Qualifications

• Experience with implementing and testing autonomy, collaborative engagement, artificial intelligence, and machine learning algorithms is highly desired.
• Experience with developing GN&C solutions for air-launched and/or ground-launched cruise missiles is highly desired.
• Experience with modeling of missile control system actuators and guidance or navigations sensors is highly desired.
• Experience with signal processing is highly desired.
• Experience with developing algorithms and software for electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) or radio frequency (RF) terminal seekers, and associated simulation models to predict seeker performance, is desired.
• Experience with Software-In-The-Loop (SWIL) and Hardware-In-The-Loop (HWIL) testing is desired.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary
Salary range: 81,080 - 141,650