Sr. Principal Inertial Systems Engineer (Gyroscope Technologies)

Kearfott Corporation; Pine Brook (NJ); On-site; USD 165,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Tuition assistance

Paid vacation and sick days

Paid holidays

9/80 work week

Job summary

Kearfott Corporation in New Jersey seeks a Sr. Principal Inertial Systems Engineer (Gyroscope Technologies) to lead design, integration, testing, and performance optimization of IMUs and related inertial navigation components.

This role supports engineering teams, product development, algorithm design, and customer‑facing technical discussions to ensure high‑accuracy inertial sensing across platforms. You will guide IMU selection, calibration, error modeling, sensor fusion, and environmental

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Robotics, or related field.
• 15–20 years IMU development experience.
• Technical leadership on significant design activities.
• Led multiple development efforts across full development cycle.
• Experience with resonating gyros preferred; fiber optic gyros a secondary preference.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical authority on IMU technologies, architectures, and performance.
• Guide IMU selection, calibration, error modeling, sensor fusion, and environmental considerations.
• Evaluate IMU performance across Resonating Gyros, FOGs.
• Support integration into navigation, guidance, positioning, or stabilization systems.
• Develop algorithms for sensor fusion (INS/GPS, EKF, UKF).
• Provide technical documentation and customer-facing input.

Skills

IMU development

Technical leadership

System integration

Sensor fusion

Engineering leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering/Physics

Job description

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation, a global Aerospace and Defense supplier for over 100 years, is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components. Kearfott has a very long history of innovation and excellence and is the go‑to brand for many of our global clients. Kearfott is trusted, respected, and plays a vital role in the success of America’s aerospace and defense industries. With over a century of expertise & experience, Kearfott is dedicated to providing quality, reliability, and cutting‑edge technology to customers worldwide to meet their sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements.

We are looking for talented individuals who want to be part of a world‑class workforce. Join Kearfott and become part of a company that is recognized for technical expertise and respected world‑wide as a ‘full service’ provider.

For more information visit our website at www.kearfott.com

Sr. Principal Inertial Systems Engineer (Gyroscope Technologies)

Overview

Provides advanced technical leadership, guidance, and hands‑on expertise in the design, integration, testing, and performance optimization of Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and related inertial navigation components. This role supports engineering teams, product development, algorithm design, and customer‑facing technical discussions, ensuring high‑accuracy inertial sensing solutions across a variety of platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Expertise & Leadership

• Serve as the primary technical authority on IMU technologies, architectures, and performance characteristics.
• Provide guidance on IMU selection, calibration, error modeling, sensor fusion, and environmental considerations.
• Evaluate and compare IMU performance across Resonating Gyroscopes, FOG's.

System Integration & Engineering

• Support integration of IMUs into navigation, guidance, positioning, or stabilization systems.
• Work with cross‑functional teams to develop algorithms for sensor fusion (e.g., INS/GPS, EKF, UKF).
• Assist in defining system‑level requirements, specifications, and performance thresholds.

Product Development & Support

• Implementation of SW, Firmware, and electronics to achieve integrated products
• Provide detailed technical documentation, white papers, and reports.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a technical SME during customer briefings, design reviews, and program meetings.
• Translate complex IMU concepts into clear, actionable recommendations for non‑technical stakeholders.
• Assist in proposal development and provide subject matter expertise for R&D efforts.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Robotics, or related field
• 15-20 years IMU development experience
• Technical leadership on significant design activities
• Participated in or led multiple development efforts (well‑rounded and experienced)
• Full development cycle: Requirements, Design, Build, Test, Qualify, Transition to Production, Fielding
• Experience in resonating gyros preferred, fiber optic gyros a secondary preference
• Expert knowledge of sensor physics, first principles, algorithms, control loops, adaptations, refinements – leader in field for the organization
• Implementation of SW, Firmware, and electronics to achieve integrated products
• Proven track record on delivery of successful IMU products
• Team player; proficient at mentoring
• Innovative problem solver
• Must be a US Citizen

Soft Skills

• Strong problem‑solving and analytical abilities.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and mentor junior engineers.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $165,000 - $195,000 annually. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to job‑related knowledge and skills, experience, and internal consistency.

Additionally, we offer a medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, tuition assistance, paid vacation and sick days, paid holidays, and a 9/80 work week with every other Friday off. Our work environment embraces our people as we enjoy monthly employee events that celebrates our workplace culture.

• medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• a 401(k) plan with company match
• tuition assistance
• paid vacation and sick days
• paid holidays
• a 9/80 work week with every other Friday off

Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans