Principal/Sr. Principal Systems Engineer - GNC (20154)

Northrop Grumman; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 109,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Competitive salary

Full benefits package

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a GNC engineer in Huntsville to architect and verify guidance and control solutions for cruise missiles and flight vehicles, including 6 DOF models. The role involves developing autopilot and guidance algorithms, defining interfaces with sensors and propulsion, and integrating software into real-time embedded systems.

The candidate will conduct advanced analyses in MATLAB/Simulink and Python, support flight tests, collaborate across engineering disciplines, and adhere

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM with 5+ years of experience OR Master's with 3 years; Sr Principal level variants.
• US Citizenship with active Secret clearance; ability to obtain TS clearance.
• 3 years of GNC experience for cruise missiles or similar flight systems; automate 6 DOF models.
• Experience in C/C++ for embedded code (MISRA C preferred), MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and code generation, and Python for data analysis; Git and CI/CD experience.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and verify GNC solutions and 6 DOF flight dynamics models for cruise missiles and related programs.
• Develop autopilot, targeting, and guidance algorithms; assess stability and robustness using simulations.
• Define GNC requirements and interfaces to sensors, actuators, and propulsion; evaluate latency and bandwidth effects.
• Integrate GNC software into real-time embedded flight software; support requirements decomposition and verification.
• Conduct Monte Carlo, robustness, and performance analyses in MATLAB/Simulink and Python; inform risk reduction studies.
• Support flight test planning, instrumentation, telemetry definition, and post-flight analysis of GNC performance.
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, structures, thermal, software, and systems engineering to ensure feasible designs.
• Implement GNC software with Git, CI/CD, and adherence to RTOS constraints.
• Create technical docs and presentations communicating analyses and recommendations.

Skills

GNC expertise

6 DOF modeling

Autopilot algorithms

Python data analysis

MATLAB/Simulink

Embedded C/C++

Git and CI/CD

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD

Tools

MISRA C

Embedded C/C++

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

Git

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and verify guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) solutions and 6 DOF flight dynamics models for cruise missiles and flight vehicles supporting the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase of the SLCM N program.
• Develop autopilot, targeting, and guidance algorithms for assess stability, performance, and robustness using advanced control theory and high fidelity simulations.
• Define GNC requirements and interfaces to control effectors, navigation sensors, and propulsion systems, and evaluate the impact of latency, bandwidth, and sensor characteristics on system performance.
• Integrate GNC algorithms into real time embedded flight software, including support to requirements decomposition, interface control documents, and verification.
• Conduct Monte Carlo, robustness, and performance analyses in MATLAB/Simulink and Python to identify technical risks, quantify margins, and support risk reduction trade studies.
• Support flight test programs, including contribution to test planning, instrumentation and telemetry definition, and post flight reconstruction and diagnostics of GNC performance.
• Work closely with aerodynamics, structures, thermal, software, and systems engineering to ensure GNC designs are integrated, feasible, and aligned with overall vehicle and mission requirements.
• Implement GNC software using modern software practices such as Git, CI/CD pipelines, and adherence to real time operating system constraints.
• Develop clear technical documentation and presentations that communicate GNC concepts, assumptions, analysis results, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.

This position may be filled at a Principal level or Sr. Principal level

Basic Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelors degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university with 5 years of relevant experience; or a Masters degree with 3 years (Sr Principal level requires a Bachelors with 8 years; a Masters with 6 years; or a PhD with 4 years).
• Must be a US Citizen with an active US Government Secret Security Clearance, at time of application, current and within scope, with an investigation date within the last 6 years.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Requires 3 years of experience in guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) for cruise missiles, or other complex flight systems, including development of 6 DOF vehicle models and autopilot/guidance algorithms.
• Requires experience in C/C++ for embedded code (preferably MISRA C compliant), MATLAB/Simulink for modeling, simulation, and code generation, and Python for data analysis and rapid prototyping, with experience using Git and CI/CD pipelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance.
• Experience supporting technical GNC teams or workstreams in support of technology maturation and risk reduction or similar early lifecycle acquisition phases.
• Experience deploying GNC algorithms to real time embedded systems, including familiarity with real time operating systems and support.
• Experience with cruise missile flight dynamics, navigation and sensor fusion (e.g., INS/GPS/star tracker/lidar)..
• Proven track record of troubleshooting complex real time GNC systems and effectively communicating technical concepts and risks to non specialists and external customers.
• Demonstrated experience integrating Simulink algorithms onto hardware using the Simulink Real-Time and Speedgoat Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing platform.
• Independent contributor with strong leadership skills, demonstrated problem-solving skills, excellent communication skills, as well as interpersonal and organizational skills and a proactive, detail-oriented approach.

Position Benefits

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401k
• Educational Assistance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Resources
• Employee Discounts

This position’s standard work schedule is 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off. This role may offer a competitive relocation assistance package.

Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.