Senior GNC Systems Engineer - Flight Dynamics & Autopilot

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

401k

Educational Assistance

Life Insurance

PTO & Holidays

Health & Wellness Resources

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. in Huntsville, AL, is seeking a Principal or Sr. Principal Guidance, Navigation & Control Systems Engineer to join our SDS division. You will design, verify, and integrate GNC solutions for strategic deterrent systems and work with cross‑functional teams.

The role requires a STEM bachelor’s with 5+ years and US citizenship with an active Secret clearance; DoD Top Secret clearance preferred. Proficiency in C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and Git/CI/CD is expected.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university with 5 years of relevant experience; or a Master's with 3 years (Sr Principal level: Bachelor's with 8 years; or a Master's with 6 years; or a PhD with 4 years).
• Must be a US Citizen with an active US Government Secret Security Clearance, current within last 6 years, and able to obtain Top Secret clearance if required.
• Requires 3 years of experience in GNC for cruise missiles or similar complex flight systems, including 6 DOF models, autopilot/guidance algorithms.
• Experience in embedded C/C++ (MISRA C preferred), MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and code generation, and Python for data analysis and rapid prototyping; Git and CI/CD pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, verify GNC solutions and 6 DOF models for missiles and flight vehicles.
• Develop autopilot, targeting, and guidance algorithms with high-fidelity simulations.
• Define GNC interfaces and evaluate latency, bandwidth, and sensor characteristics.
• Integrate GNC algorithms into real-time embedded flight software and documentation.
• Conduct Monte Carlo and performance analyses to assess risks and margins.
• Support flight test planning, instrumentation, and post-flight diagnostics.
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, structures, software, and systems engineering to ensure feasible designs.
• Implement GNC software with modern practices like Git and CI/CD.
• Produce technical docs and presentations for stakeholders.

Skills

GNC design

Flight dynamics

Autopilot algorithms

Real-time embedded

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Git

CI/CD

Job description

Northrop Grumman Corp. in Huntsville, AL, is seeking a Principal or Sr. Principal Guidance, Navigation & Control Systems Engineer to join our SDS division. You will design, verify, and integrate GNC solutions for strategic deterrent systems and work with cross‑functional teams.

The role requires a STEM bachelor’s with 5+ years and US citizenship with an active Secret clearance; DoD Top Secret clearance preferred. Proficiency in C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and Git/CI/CD is expected.