Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer III - IV

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Job summary

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions seeks a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer to evaluate flight dynamics and support aircraft design. You will lead an engineering team, design algorithms, and prepare technical documentation while ensuring high standards of quality.

Applicants should possess a BS degree in Engineering with over 6 years of relevant experience. The role emphasizes strong communication skills and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment, contributing to cutting-edge aerospace projects.

Qualifications

• 6+ years related experience in an engineering discipline.
• 3+ years lead engineer experience in the aerospace industry.
• Ability to interact effectively with peers, supervisors, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate flight dynamics and aircraft flight path performance.
• Design and implement autonomous logic algorithms.
• Support customer training activities.
• Prepare formal engineering documentation.

Skills

Understanding of basic aircraft dynamic modes

Understanding of flight control logic and automation

Strong communication skills

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

MATLAB and Simulink experience

Familiarity with C/C++ and Java

Requirement to obtain U.S. security clearance

Education

BS degree in Engineering (Aeronautical/Aerospace preferred)

Tools

Software Configuration Management Systems

Job description

Overview

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Kratos) is a leading defense technology company focused on unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber‑security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems (KUAS) specializes in developing, delivering, integrating, and supporting high‑performance, cost‑effective jet‑powered unmanned aerial systems, including targets and tactical platforms.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Aircraft dynamics, subsystem modeling, and simulation
• Control system gain and filter design and stability margin evaluation
• Evaluation of flight dynamics, flying qualities, and aircraft flight path performance
• Non‑linear control system robustness testing
• Design and implementation of operator interfaces, autonomous logic algorithms, waypoint following, and path generation algorithms
• Guidance algorithm development, analysis, and test
• Navigation system design, analysis, and test
• Derive subsystem requirements and specifications
• Support subsystem testing and verification
• Flight test planning, execution, and analysis
• Support aircraft design at all phases of development
• Wind tunnel test planning support
• Hardware/software design, test, troubleshooting, and documentation activities
• Analyses in support of requirements generation, verification, and validation
• Prepare formal, controlled engineering documentation (drawings, specifications, test procedures, technical reports, etc.)
• Prepare and present design review material in support of technical interchange meetings with suppliers and internal/external customers
• Support customer training activities
• Foreign and domestic travel to support flight test activities
• Other duties as assigned
• Present design review and technical interchange material to major customers
• Provide onsite support during test activities

Managerial Responsibilities

• Provide oversight to the Guidance, Navigation, & Control group to prioritize and delegate work according to programmatic requirements
• Manage the engineering team’s effort, time, budget, and schedule
• Serve as key liaison for programs on all matters related to aerodynamic design and performance, stability and control, propulsion, modeling and simulation, and verification
• Stay current on industry best practices through training and exposure, and mentor lower‑level engineers
• Act as system engineer to help communicate top‑level requirements to subsystems and determine verification and validation methods
• Report progress on engineering efforts to technical leadership

Qualifications & Skills

Required:

• Understanding of basic aircraft dynamic modes
• Understanding of flight control logic and automation
• Ability to create a runtime environment for autonomous functions
• Knowledge of basic software development process
• Strong communication skills and focus on customer satisfaction
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment
• Ability to travel as necessary
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information per government standards
• Ability to interact effectively with peers, supervisors, and the public
• Adherence to workplace rules
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated passion for customer satisfaction
• Requirement to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)

Preferred:

• MATLAB and Simulink experience
• Familiarity with C/C++ and Java software
• Familiarity with unmanned aircraft systems and operations
• Understanding of autopilot flight control design
• Experience with software configuration management systems

Education & Experience

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer III

• BS degree in Engineering (Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering preferred)
• 6+ years related experience in an engineering discipline
• 3+ years lead engineer experience in the aerospace industry

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer IV

• BS degree in Engineering (MS Aerospace Engineering preferred)
• 11+ years related experience in an engineering discipline
• 6+ years lead engineer experience in the aerospace industry

Travel & Physical Requirements

• Office and/or manufacturing environment
• Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time
• Ability to perform repetitive motion (typing, phone use)
• Frequent outside contact with customers and suppliers
• May work extended hours or weekends
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds per safety training guidelines
• 10–25% travel may be required for flight test activities, new business development, and customer maintenance

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Equal Opportunity & EEO Statement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity affirmative action employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Veterans, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Legal Notices

Job Applicant Privacy Notice: For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.

Pay Transparency: The company will not discriminate or retaliate for inquiries about pay.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation: If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply, contact [e-mail] or call 858‑964‑2916.