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

Albers Group; McKinney, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Albers Group is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer – GNC to lead the development, integration, and verification of Guidance, Navigation, and Control solutions for advanced aerospace and defense systems. You will analyze requirements, develop algorithms, and perform software integration across the product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate brings a DoD SECRET clearance with Top Secret eligibility, 10+ years of GNC/SE experience, and strong MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++ skills for real-time embedded

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.

Skills

GNC algorithm

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

Embedded systems

Flight dynamics

Software verification

Git/SVN

Model-Based Design

RTOS

Requirements traceability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Systems Engineering

Master's preferred

Tools

None specified

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.