Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineer III - IV

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Roseville (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision insurance coverage

401(k) savings plan

Paid time-off (PTO)

Job summary

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions in Roseville, CA is hiring a Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineer III/IV to take on roles related to unmanned aircraft systems. You will perform complex engineering tasks and provide oversight for engineering teams to ensure project success.

The role requires a solid background in aerospace engineering with significant experience, as well as adept communication skills. The compensation range for this role is between $120,000 and $190,000 annually.

Qualifications

• 6+ years related experience in engineering discipline.
• 3+ years lead engineer experience in the aerospace industry.
• Ability to travel as necessary to perform job duties.

Responsibilities

• Perform diverse engineering tasks related to the aerodynamic design.
• Support program planning of engineering activities.
• Create formal engineering documentation like specifications and test procedures.

Skills

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

Demonstrated strong communication skills

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment

Education

BS degree in Engineering (Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering preferred)

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

C/C++

Java

Job description

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies. At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology, leveraging proven, cutting‑edge methodologies to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks.

General Job Summary

Come be part of a team working on the latest advancements in unmanned aircraft. Perform a diverse array of engineering tasks related to the aerodynamic design, analysis, simulation, and test of unmanned aerial vehicles. Help develop the control laws and flight‑control systems for our next generations of unmanned tactical air systems and target drones.

Essential Job Functions

• 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
• Perform non‑linear control system robustness testing
• Design and implement 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
• Support various 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 for technical interchange meetings with suppliers and internal/external customers
• Support customer training activities
• Foreign and domestic travel to support flight test activities
• Other duties may be assigned

Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineer III

• Perform complex engineering tasks as assigned by manager
• Support program planning of engineering activities through detailed scope definition
• Act as System Engineer to communicate top‑level requirements to subsystems and determine verification and validation methods
• Report progress on engineering efforts to technical leadership
• Provide direction and oversight to Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineers
• Establish and maintain best practices for design, analysis, and testing responsibilities of the group
• Mentor Level I‑II Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineers

Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineer IV

• Provide oversight to the Guidance, Navigation, and Control group to prioritize and delegate work according to programmatic requirements
• Manage the engineering team’s effort and time within budget and schedule constraints
• Act as key liaison for internal and external programs on aerodynamic design, performance, stability and control, propulsion, modeling and simulation, and verification
• Stay current on state‑of‑practice through training and industry exposure, and mentor the group
• Mentor Level I‑III Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineers

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Compensation

$120,000 – $190,000

Experience and Skills

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities – 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
• Demonstrated focus on customer satisfaction
• Demonstrated strong communication skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment
• Ability to travel as necessary to perform job duties
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information as required by government standards
• Ability to interact effectively with peers and supervisors
• Ability to interact appropriately with the public when necessary
• Adherence to workplace rules
• Effective communication professionally in writing or verbally with all levels of personnel
• Demonstrated passion for customer satisfaction
• May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (requires U.S. citizenship)

Preferred

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

Education and Experience

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer III

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

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer IV

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

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• Office or manufacturing environment
• Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time
• Ability to perform repetitive motion (keyboarding, 10‑key phones)
• Frequent outside contact with customers and suppliers
• May work extended hours or weekends
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds in accordance with safety guidelines

Travel Requirements

• 10–25 % travel may be required to support flight test activities, new business development, and customer maintenance occasionally

Job 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

EEO Statement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity, affirmative action employer. EOE for minors, females, veterans, disabled, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation

If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to [e-mail] or call 858-964-2916.

Pay Transparency

The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Job Applicant Privacy Notice

For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.