UAV Systems Engineer - Guidance Navigation & Controls

Leonardo DRS; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 107,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Parental leave benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development support

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, seeks an onsite Senior Systems Engineer to join the UAV development team in Germantown, MD. You will develop algorithms to convert live radar tracks into real-time guidance for UAV control towards the target.

The role requires expertise in guidance and control, hands-on drone autopilot experience, and real-time software development in Python/C++. You will work in a 9/80 schedule with opportunities for field testing and SITL/HITL validation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or related technical field.
• A minimum of 5 years of engineering experience.
• Solid understanding of guidance and control fundamentals, including pursuit guidance, closing velocity/geometry, proportional navigation.
• Hands‑on experience with drone autopilot hardware and firmware.
• Strong real‑time software development in Python and/or C++, comfortable writing code that runs as a companion‑computer process (e.g., on a Raspberry Pi, Jetson, or similar) alongside a flight controller.
• Experience with SITL/HITL simulation workflows for validating flight software before live test.

Responsibilities

• Build the interface that consumes live target track data from the radar and converts it into a usable target state in the vehicle's reference frame.
• Implement a guidance law that guides the aircraft towards its target.
• Set up and run a simulation environment to test performance with simulated or replayed radar tracks.
• Support in-field flight testing

Skills

Guidance & control fundamentals

Real-time software development (Python

C++

Drone autopilot hardware & firmware

SITL/HITL simulation workflows

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or related technical field

Tools

Raspberry Pi

NVIDIA Jetson

Job description

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UAV Systems Engineer - Guidance Navigation & Controls

Location:
Germantown, MD, US, 20876

Job ID: 115564

DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the defense industry globally. The company is a global pioneer of AESA tactical radars for active military protection, counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance.

Business Unit:DRS RADA Technologies
Location: Germantown, MD
Schedule: 9/80
Shift: First

Job Summary

DRS RADA Technologies is seeking an onsite Senior Systems Engineer who focuses on Guidance Navigation & Controls to join our growing UAV development team in Germantown, MD. The ideal candidate will assist in developing the algorithms to convert live radar tracks into real-time guidance to control the UAV towards the target.

What You'll Do:

• Build the interface that consumes live target track data from the radar and converts it into a usable target state in the vehicle's reference frame.
• Implement a guidance law that guides the aircraft towards its target.
• Set up and run a simulation environment to test performance with simulated or replayed radar tracks.
• Support in-field flight testing

What You'll Bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or related technical field
• A minimum of 5 years of engineering experience
• Solid understanding of guidance and control fundamentals, including pursuit guidance, closing velocity/geometry, proportional navigation.
• Hands‑on experience with drone autopilot hardware and firmware.
• Strong real‑time software development in Python and/or C++, comfortable writing code that runs as a companion‑computer process (e.g., on a Raspberry Pi, Jetson, or similar) alongside a flight controller.
• Experience with SITL/HITL simulation workflows for validating flight software before live test.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with intercept, rendezvous, or target‑tracking guidance
• Experience integrating radar or other tracking‑sensor data into a robotics/flight software stack.
• Background in counter‑UAS, missile GNC, or autonomous aerial systems.
• Experience with ITAR controlled products or defense manufacturing
• Experience with design, build, and fly of small UAVs
• FAA Part 107 certified
• Active U.S. security clearance (Secret or higher); candidates without a clearance will be considered

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

The salary range for this position is $107,089 year - $144,570 year. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance‑based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non‑exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state‑mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well‑being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career‑growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Our Vision. To be the leading mid‑tier defense technology company in the U.S.

Our Values. The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles:

- Integrity
- Agility
- Excellence
- Customer Focus
- Community & Respect
- Innovation

We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.