Lead GNC Engineer – Seeker Missile Systems

Mavensoft Technologies, LLC.; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mavensoft Technologies, LLC in Chandler, AZ seeks a Lead GNC Engineer for Seeker Missile Systems to lead development of guidance, navigation, and control for seeker-based engagements. You will own algorithm design, perform 6-DoF simulations, and conduct performance assessments. Mentoring engineers and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and mission success.

US citizens with active Secret clearance required; on-site 12-month contract in Chandler, AZ.

Qualifications

• U.S. Government security clearance at the Secret level is required.
• Experience with GNC concepts for aerospace or missile systems.
• Leadership or significant contribution to development, modeling, simulation, testing, integration, or analysis in aerospace, missiles, spacecraft, or autonomous systems.
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or similar in a Linux environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, verification and test of flight and simulation software; maintain 6 DOF simulations.
• Own algorithm design and analysis for seeker-based engagements and control laws.
• Apply state estimation techniques to process seeker measurements and drive guidance.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams for reliability and mission success.

Skills

GNC algorithms

Missile Guidance

Guidance law development

Seeker measurements

6-DoF simulation

Missile trajectory simulation

MATLAB/Simulink

IR and RF seekers

Estimation and nonlinear filtering

SIL/HIL testing

C++

Python

Linux

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 14+ years experience / Master’s with 12+ / PhD with 10+

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Linux

Jira

Job description

• Chandler, AZ

Role: Lead GNC Engineer – Seeker Missile Systems
Duration: 12 Months (Contract)
Location: Chandler, AZ (On-Site)
Duration: 12 months
Work Authorization: US Citizen; must hold a current/active Secret security clearance
Key Skills: GNC algorithms, Missile Guidance, Guidance law development, Seeker measurements (line‐of‐sight (LOS), pixel/centroid, infrared, Doppler, azimuth/elevation) : Six degrees of freedom (6-DoF) simulation, missile trajectory simulation, MATLAB, Simulink, IR and RF seekers, Estimation and nonlinear filtering (Kalman Filter, Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF)), SIL/HIL testing, C++, Python, Linux
Position Summary:

• In this role, you will lead the development and evaluation of guidance, navigation, and control systems for advanced aerospace applications, focusing on seeker-based missile engagements and precision intercept performance.
• You will own key algorithm design and analysis tasks, applying mathematical models, control theory, and state estimation techniques to process complex seeker measurements and drive guidance and control laws.
• Your work will include architecting and maintaining six degrees of freedom (6 DOF) simulations, defining performance metrics, integrating hardware and software components, and conducting rigorous performance assessments and trade studies.
• You will mentor early career engineers, provide technical direction on seeker and tracking approaches, and collaborate with cross functional teams to ensure system reliability and mission success.

Role: Lead GNC Engineer – Seeker Missile Systems
Duration: 12 Months (Contract)
Location: Chandler, AZ (On-Site)
Duration: 12 months
Work Authorization: US Citizen; must hold a current/active Secret security clearance
Key Skills: GNC algorithms, Missile Guidance, Guidance law development, Seeker measurements (line‐of‐sight (LOS), pixel/centroid, infrared, Doppler, azimuth/elevation) : Six degrees of freedom (6-DoF) simulation, missile trajectory simulation, MATLAB, Simulink, IR and RF seekers, Estimation and nonlinear filtering (Kalman Filter, Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF)), SIL/HIL testing, C++, Python, Linux
Position Summary:

• In this role, you will lead the development and evaluation of guidance, navigation, and control systems for advanced aerospace applications, focusing on seeker-based missile engagements and precision intercept performance.
• You will own key algorithm design and analysis tasks, applying mathematical models, control theory, and state estimation techniques to process complex seeker measurements and drive guidance and control laws.
• Your work will include architecting and maintaining six degrees of freedom (6 DOF) simulations, defining performance metrics, integrating hardware and software components, and conducting rigorous performance assessments and trade studies.
• You will mentor early career engineers, provide technical direction on seeker and tracking approaches, and collaborate with cross functional teams to ensure system reliability and mission success.

Responsibilities:

• Leading the design, development, implementation, verification, and test of high quality flight and simulation software; owning the design and maintenance of 6 DOF simulations used to develop, analyze, and validate flight algorithms and code; optimizing flight and simulation software for performance, robustness, and maintainability; defining and executing analysis campaigns using trajectory optimization and evaluation tools; and presenting technical results, risks, and recommendations to program leadership.
• This position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required program access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 14 years of professional experience, or a Master’s degree with 12 years of professional experience, or a PhD with 10 years of professional experience, in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Must have an existing U.S. Government security clearance at the Secret level.
• Demonstrated experience with guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) concepts, algorithms, or analysis for aerospace or missile systems.
• Experience leading or significantly contributing to development, modeling, simulation, test, integration, or analysis activities for aerospace, missiles, spacecraft, or autonomous systems.
• Proficiency with one or more of the following: MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or similar technical software tools, with development in a Linux environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Strong foundation in control systems theory, guidance law development, and flight software implementation.
• Experience with state estimation and nonlinear filtering (e.g., Kalman Filter, Extended Kalman Filter, Unscented Kalman Filter), including tuning and performance assessment in realistic scenarios.
• Deep domain knowledge in target tracking and seeker systems (infrared and/or radio frequency), including requirements definition and algorithm design.
• Experience developing and validating target dynamics and measurement models and integrating them into end to end 6 DOF simulations.
• Experience with seeker measurements such as angle only measurements, line of sight (LOS) rate estimation, pixel/centroid based measurements for infrared seekers, and/or range, range rate (Doppler), azimuth/elevation, and angle only tracking for RF seekers.
• Experience with data association methods, track initiation and maintenance logic, and multi target tracking in the presence of false alarms and clutter.
• Proven ability to lead small technical teams or work packages, mentor junior engineers, and communicate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python and experience with software development tools such as Jira, version control, and continuous integration workflows in a Linux environment.