Principal Guidance, Navigation & Controls Scientist

Grvty; California; On-site; USD 270,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

GRVTY is seeking a Principal Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Scientist to serve as a technical authority for autonomous vehicle GNC capabilities and advanced navigation products and software. In this role you will lead the design and analysis of navigation and control algorithms, drive technical strategy across multiple concurrent initiatives, and mentor engineers.

You will address the boundary of theory and field-proven implementation, translating advanced control theory and estimation

Qualifications

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering or closely related field is required.
• Deep expertise in state estimation (Kalman filtering, sensor fusion) and modern control theory.
• Strong MATLAB/Simulink proficiency and software development skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for technical and customer audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, and validation of GNC algorithms.
• Architect navigation solutions for GPS-denied environments.
• Develop and refine vehicle dynamics models and control architectures.
• Serve as the senior technical authority on GNC across multiple platforms.
• Mentor mid-level and junior GNC engineers.

Skills

State estimation

Modern control theory

Signal processing

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Aerospace Engineering or closely related field

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

Real-time embedded software environments

Job description

Principal Guidance, Navigation & Controls Scientist

GRVTY is seeking a Principal Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Scientist to serve as a technical authority for autonomous vehicle GNC capabilities and advanced navigation products and software. In this role you will lead the design and analysis of navigation and control algorithms, drive technical strategy across multiple concurrent initiatives, and mentor engineers. You will address the boundary of theory and field-proven implementation, translating advanced control theory and estimation techniques into systems that perform reliably in maritime environments with limited or denied GPS.

What You'll be Owning

• Lead the design, analysis, and validation of GNC algorithms
• Architect navigation solutions for GPS-denied environments
• Develop and refine vehicle dynamics models and control architectures
• Serve as the senior technical authority on GNC matters across multiple platforms
• Collaborate with navigation subject matter expert to transfer deep domain knowledge from decades of accumulated know-how and documented navigational principles and applied techniques
• Define verification and validation test plans for GNC subsystems
• Analyze field test data to diagnose performance anomalies and refine algorithms
• Partner with all engineering disciplines to ensure GNC algorithms are implemented efficiently
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to mid-level and junior GNC engineers

What You Must Have

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field
• Professional experience in guidance, navigation, and control system design for underwater, aerial, ground or space vehicles
• Deep expertise in state estimation techniques (Kalman filtering, sensor fusion) and modern control theory
• Strong proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and software languages for algorithm development
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to technical and customer audiences

What Would be Nice to Have

• Direct experience with underwater GNC and navigation sensors
• Familiarity with real-time embedded software environments

Pay Range:At GRVTY, we understand that compensation is influenced by many factors—such as geographic location, federal contract labor categories, wage rates, prior experience, skillsets, education, and certifications. We’re proud to offer a work environment that empowers our team to achieve a strong work-life balance. GRVTY provides competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth. Our benefits package is designed to support the well-being of our employees and their families, and includes coverage in areas such as healthcare, financial wellness, retirement planning, family assistance, continued education, and paid time off.

• The pay range for this position is: $270,000.00 - $300,000.00