Principal Systems Engineer – Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC)

albers-aersopace; McKinney (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

albers-aersopace in McKinney, TX seeks a Principal Systems Engineer – GNC to lead development, integration, and verification of guidance, navigation, and control solutions for advanced aerospace systems.

You will analyze requirements, develop algorithms, perform modeling and simulation, and oversee system verification across the lifecycle, partnering with engineering teams to deliver mission-ready capabilities for defense programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• U.S. Citizenship with active DoD SECRET clearance (Top Secret eligibility required).
• 10+ years of experience in GNC algorithm development, software engineering, systems engineering, or related aerospace/defense applications.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, and control system toolboxes.
• Experience with simulation-based testing, hardware/software integration, and test data analysis.
• Strong understanding of flight dynamics, control theory, and embedded system implementation.
• Experience developing, integrating, and testing embedded GNC software in C/C++.
• Experience implementing flight control, navigation, estimation, or guidance algorithms in real-time software environments.
• Familiarity with requirements traceability, code reviews, unit testing, integration testing, and software verification.
• Experience with Model-Based Design (MBMD) and automatic code generation.
• Experience with seekers and sensor systems and their integration with GNC systems.
• Familiarity with RTOS-based embedded processor architectures and hardware/software integration activities.

Responsibilities

• Support the development, integration, and verification of GNC solutions across the product lifecycle.
• Analyze requirements, develop algorithms, and assess system performance in simulations and real-time environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust, mission-ready GNC implementations.

Skills

GNC algorithms

Software engineering

Control theory

Embedded systems

C/C++

MATLAB

Simulink

Model-Based Design

Test data analysis

Flight dynamics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Git

SVN

RTOS

MB Design tooling

Job description

Our core competencies include systems engineering, program management, logistics, production support, aircraft maintenance, and aviation/aerospace services. We were founded in 2015 and since our establishment, we have been attracting the best talent in our fields of interest enabling us to provide cutting-edge solutions and support to our warfighters. We understand and provide expert consultation on weapons systems acquisition programs, maintenance/modernization programs, and sustainment programs. We know defense and we know aircraft systems.

The Principal Systems Engineer – GNC will serve as a key technical contributor supporting the development, integration, and verification of Guidance, Navigation, and Control solutions for advanced aerospace and defense systems. This role supports requirements analysis, algorithm development and assessment, software integration, modeling and simulation, and system verification activities across the product lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• U.S. Citizenship with active DoD SECRET clearance (Top Secret eligibility required).
• 10+ years of experience in GNC algorithm development, software engineering, systems engineering, or related aerospace/defense applications.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, and control system toolboxes.
• Experience with simulation-based testing, hardware/software integration, and test data analysis.
• Strong understanding of flight dynamics, control theory, and embedded system implementation.
• Experience developing, integrating, and testing embedded GNC software in C/C++.
• Experience implementing flight control, navigation, estimation, or guidance algorithms in real-time software environments.
• Familiarity with requirements traceability, code reviews, unit testing, integration testing, and software verification.
• Experience with Git, SVN, or similar configuration management repositories.
• Experience with Model-Based Design (MBD) and automatic code generation.
• Experience with seekers and sensor systems and their integration with GNC systems.
• Familiarity with RTOS-based embedded processor architectures and hardware/software integration activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of WOSA or Open System Architectures.
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, ROS, DDS, or autonomy frameworks.
• Familiarity with Kalman Filters, EKF, UKF, or related estimation techniques.
• Knowledge of DO-178C or military software development processes.
• Prior technical leadership and mentorship experience.