2027 Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer - Dulles VA

Northrop Grumman•Dulles, VA

2d•$76,200 - $114,400•Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman is hiring GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) engineers to work on spacecraft subsystems for DoD, NASA, and commercial customers. The GNC team designs, builds, and tests spacecraft systems, including technologies for autonomous rendezvous and docking and small satellites. Engineers work within the GNC subsystem team to design, analyze, and tune spacecraft attitude and position control loops and sequential filters; develop, test, and verify flight algorithms; support flight software qualification; and analyze subsystem performance using simulations and other tools. The role also supports early design and concept development, including actuator sizing and placement, sensor selection and placement, guidance, rendezvous, proximity operations, docking analysis, and performance assessment. Engineers develop simulation models of sensors, actuators, system dynamics, and the space environment. They apply engineering principles, industry standards, company processes, and knowledge of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, control, and estimation theory. The role includes documenting and presenting designs, analyses, and test results to internal and external customers, and collaborating in small- to medium-sized groups. The posting lists Associate GNC Engineer requirements based on a bachelor’s degree, and a separate GNC Engineer level based on a master’s degree. U.S. citizenship is required as a prerequisite to obtaining and maintaining a U.S. Government security clearance. The role is located in Dulles, Virginia, involves travel 10% of the time, and relocation assistance may be available. No clearance is required at the start.

Requirements

Be completing or have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution for the Associate GNC Engineer level.
Major or have majored in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite.
The posting separately lists a master’s degree from an accredited institution as a basic qualification for the GNC Engineer level.

Nice To Haves

Overall cumulative GPA of 3.4 out of 4.0 or higher.
Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++.
Experience in spacecraft GNC subsystem design, analysis, and testing.
Experience implementing GNC algorithms on embedded systems.
Prior work experience in a related field.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and version control tools such as SVN or Git.
Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering and digital transformation tools such as the Atlassian suite.
Previous or current membership or leadership roles in professional groups, clubs, or extracurricular activities.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

Design, analyze, and tune spacecraft attitude and position control loops using time- and frequency-domain techniques.
Design, analyze, and tune sequential filters, such as Kalman filters, for attitude determination and relative navigation.
Design, develop, test, and verify GNC subsystem flight algorithms and support flight software qualification testing.
Analyze and test spacecraft GNC subsystem performance using simulations and other analytical tools.
Perform early design-phase analyses, including actuator sizing and placement, sensor selection and placement, attitude and position guidance, rendezvous, proximity operations and docking analyses, and predicted performance assessments.
Develop simulation models for sensors, actuators, system dynamics, and the space environment.
Apply engineering principles, industry standards, company processes, and knowledge of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, classical and modern control, and estimation theory to achieve program and project goals.
Document designs, analyses, and test results, and create presentation materials.
Present designs, analyses, and test results to internal and external customers.
Work effectively within small- to medium-sized groups.