Principal GNC Engineer - Tracking & Estimation

Mavensoft Technologies, LLC; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Mavensoft Technologies, LLC in Chandler, AZ is seeking a Principal GNC Engineer to lead guidance, navigation, and control efforts for advanced aerospace applications, including seeker-based engagements. The role emphasizes algorithm design, 6 DOF simulations, and cross-functional collaboration.

You will mentor junior engineers, drive performance-focused verification, and ensure mission success through rigorous analysis and effective leadership in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 14 years of professional experience.
• Master’s degree with 12 years of professional experience.
• PhD with 10 years of professional experience.
• Must have an existing U.S. Government security clearance at the Secret level.
• Experience with guidance, navigation, and control concepts for aerospace or missile systems.
• Experience leading or contributing to development, modeling, simulation, test, integration, or analysis for aerospace or missiles.

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; optimizing software for performance, robustness, and maintainability; defining and executing analysis campaigns using trajectory optimization and evaluation tools; presenting results, risks, and recommendations to leadership.
• This position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required program access(es) within a reasonable period.

Skills

GNC concepts

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Linux environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or related

Master’s degree with 12+ years experience

PhD with 10+ years experience

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Linux

Job description

• Chandler, AZ

Title: Principal GNC Engineer - Tracking & Estimation
Location:Onsite in Chandler, AZ
Duration:12 months
Terms:W2 Contract
Work Authorization:US Citizen; must hold an active/current Secret security clearance

• 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.

Title: Principal GNC Engineer - Tracking & Estimation
Location:Onsite in Chandler, AZ
Duration:12 months
Terms:W2 Contract
Work Authorization:US Citizen; must hold an active/current Secret security clearance

• 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(es), 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.