Staff Navigation Systems Engineer

ngc; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life & disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Woodland Hills, CA is seeking a Staff Navigation Systems Engineer to design model‑based navigation software and lead the integration of sensors. You will guide the development of navigation performance analysis and work with cross‑functional teams in a fast‑moving environment.

The role requires advanced state estimation expertise, embedded INS/GPS know‑how, and leadership to mentor rising engineers. This onsite position offers a clear path to impact national security tech.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years engineering exp; Master’s with 10+; PhD with 8+.
• Expertise in sensor fusion for navigation with IMU and GPS.
• Proficiency in EKF, UKF, and PF state estimation methods.
• Experience with INS/GPS navigation systems and calibration.
• Strong multi-sensor synchronization, noise modeling, covariance tuning.
• Ability to design and implement position, velocity, and attitude estimation.

Responsibilities

• Architect and guide cutting‑edge navigation algorithms and systems.
• Define the technical roadmap for navigation analysis in lab and flight tests.
• Own communications with program leadership and customers.
• Collaborate with internal/external experts on next‑gen navigation tech.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of navigation specialists.
• Represent NG at conferences, working groups, and briefings.
• Mentor talent and promote best‑practice adoption.

Skills

Sensor Fusion

IMU/GPS Integration

Kalman Filtering

INS Mechanics

Embedded INS/GPS

Multi-Sensor Sync

Noise Modeling

State Estimation

U.S. Citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s in STEM

Master’s in STEM

PhD in STEM

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: 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.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Emerging Capabilities Development organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered by providing an innovative technological capabilities across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector is seeking a Staff Navigation Systems Engineer to join our diverse and talented team in the design and implementation of model-based navigation software. This role will be filled at our Woodland Hills, CA site. As a Staff Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of innovation.

What You’ll get to Do:

• Architect and guide the implementation of cutting‑edge navigation algorithms, software, and system integrations.

• Define and execute the technical roadmap for navigation‑performance analysis across lab and flight‑test environments.

• Own communication channels with program leadership, external customers, and cross‑functional partners.

• Champion collaborations with internal and external experts to pioneer next‑generation navigation and timing technologies.

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of navigation and timing specialists in a collaborative, high‑performing culture.

• Represent Northrop Grumman at premier technical conferences, industry working groups, and customer briefings.

• Mentor emerging talent and drive best‑practice adoption across the organization.

This position is contingent upon Funding/Contract Award.

Basic Qualifications for a Staff Navigation Systems Engineer:

• Bachelor’s Degree in STEM discipline with 12 years of Engineering experience; Masters in STEM discipline with 10 years of Engineering experience; PhD in STEM discipline with 8 years of Engineering experience

• Expertise in Sensor Fusion for Navigation Systems using IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), GPS, barometers, and other sensors.

• Expertise in advanced state-estimation algorithms such as Extended Kalman Filtering, Unscented Kalman Filtering, Particle Filtering.

• Expertise in INS (Inertial Navigation System) mechanizations.

• Expertise in Embedded INS/GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation systems.

• Expertise in multi‑sensor synchronization and calibration.

• Expertise in noise modeling and covariance tuning.

• Expertise in state estimation for position, velocity, and attitude determination.

• U.S. Citizenship is required

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance is required

• Ability to work full‑time onsite in Woodland Hills, CA

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Assured Position Navigation & Timing (APNT) solutions for GPS Denied Environments.

• Familiarity of signal selection, acquisition and tracking, Position, Velocity, and Time (PVT) calculation, data demodulation, signal correction.

• Familiarity with algorithm development for satellite acquisition, tracking, and receiver measurement formation

• Familiarity with military navigation modernization particularly M-code signal processing and capabilities.

• Familiarity with design of tracking loops, including characterization of platform dynamics,environmental/interferenceeffects.

• Familiarity with Timing and Distributed Clock Algorithms.

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00The 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.