Onsite Autopilot GNC Engineer - 6DOF Missile Systems

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 98,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Chandler, AZ seeks a GNC Engineer: Autopilot to design, verify, and test 6DOF simulation models and missile flight code. You’ll contribute to guidance algorithms, autopilot parameters, and control systems in C++, MATLAB, and Python on Linux.

The role emphasizes hands-on development, mentoring early-career engineers, and occasional travel up to 10%. Onsite work with a 9/80 schedule supports a challenging, mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience, or Master’s with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year of professional experience.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
• Experience designing, tuning, implementing, and testing guidance algorithms and autopilot parameters for guided missiles and/or interceptors.
• Experience designing, implementing, and testing missile autopilot systems, including exposure to multiple control system schemes for guided missiles and linear stability analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, verify, and test software and simulation toolchains.
• Create and maintain 6DOF simulation models to evaluate missile system and flight-code performance.
• Design, tune, implement, and test missile guidance algorithms and autopilot parameters.
• Develop and test missile autopilot and control-system solutions, including stability analysis.
• Apply missile flight dynamics, classical control theory, and modern control theory to support guided missile and interceptor development.
• Build and maintain analysis tools using C++, MATLAB, and Python.

Skills

C++

MATLAB

Python

Linux

Guidance algorithms

Autopilot design

Control systems

Missile flight dynamics

Mentoring

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Linux

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

Northrop Grumman in Chandler, AZ seeks a GNC Engineer: Autopilot to design, verify, and test 6DOF simulation models and missile flight code. You’ll contribute to guidance algorithms, autopilot parameters, and control systems in C++, MATLAB, and Python on Linux.

The role emphasizes hands-on development, mentoring early-career engineers, and occasional travel up to 10%. Onsite work with a 9/80 schedule supports a challenging, mission-driven environment.