Guidance Navigation & Control Engineer 4

PDS Defense, Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct deposit

Free career counseling

401(k)

Paid holidays

Short-term disability insurance

Skills training

Employee referral bonus

Affordable medical coverage

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. in Albuquerque, NM, seeks a Guidance Navigation & Control Engineer 4 to define and document system-level requirements, design GNC architectures, and guide test and certification activities per FAA, MIL-SPEC and NASA guidance.

You will train others and work onsite with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced defense environment. The role requires TS clearance, strong GNC theory, and hands-on experience with C, MATLAB or Python, and model-based simulation tools; Bachelor degree

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).
• Ability to obtain SCI or T5 after starting the position.
• Guidance, Navigation, and Control engineering experience.
• Classical control theory experience.
• Experience with higher-level programming languages (C, MATLAB, Python, or similar).
• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related field or non-US equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Resolve requirement conflicts and document flow-down.
• Design and analyze GNC systems and perform model validation against test data.
• Develop control laws and use advanced analysis to improve simulation accuracy.
• Gather, define, and document mission requirements with traceability from system to component.
• Coordinate across disciplines (systems engineering, software, hardware) and implement COTS solutions.
• Author and maintain engineering documentation.

Skills

GNC engineering

Classical control theory

Programming: C MATLAB Python

Education

BS in engineering or related field

Tools

Speedgoat

Job description

Engineering

Guidance Navigation & Control Engineer 4

Albuquerque, NM

Posted: 9/30/2026

Job Description

Job ID#: 226565

Job Category: Engineering

Position Type: Associate - W2

Duration: 52

Shift: 1

Job Description

Gathers, defines and documents system level requirements and investigates actions necessary for requirements definition and flow-down improvement. Performs and documents design of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems and guides experienced engineers in performance of the designs. Develops GNC and mathematical tools and techniques and aids in developing Technology roadmaps. Performs or directs test data analysis and documentation. Presents findings of compliance to regulatory agencies, negotiates certification basis in alignment project goals, simulation and design review per FAA, MIL-SPEC and NASA guidance. Trains and coaches others. Works under minimal direction.

Position Responsibilities

• Resolve requirement conflicts.
• Perform and document analysis and design of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems.
• Perform model validation against test data to inform and improve the accuracy of the simulation environment.
• Use advanced analysis to assess and refine the control law design.
• Gather, define, and document Guidance, Navigation, and Control mission requirements and ensure requirements traceability and quality from system level to component level.
• Develop solutions and disposition issues to assure customer satisfaction.
• Design trade studies to meet program requirements.
• Work across multiple disciplines such as systems engineering, software and hardware.
• Implement COTS solutions when appropriate.
• Author and maintain engineering documentation for consistency and delivery.
• This position is expected to be fully onsite in Albuquerque, NM.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience)

• Active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active.)
• Ability, after starting in the position, to get a SCI or T5 (formerly SSBI).
• Guidance, Navigation, and Control engineering experience.
• Classical Control Theory experience
• Experience with a higher-level programming code (e.g. C, MATLAB, Python, or similar).
• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology (including Manufacturing Technology), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience)

• Active TS/SCI.
• Advanced degree in a related field or coursework in Advanced Control Systems.
• Hardware implementation experience.
• Experience implementing algorithms in a real time system.
• Experience with Speedgoat is a plus
• Active TS/SCI or SCI eligible (equivalent clearance considered)

Benefits offered to vary by the contract.

• 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: Top Secret

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

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

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:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

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