GNC Engineer/Technical Lead: Nav Modeling Analysis & Sim - Level 5 (Chandler)
About The Position
Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is hiring a Level 5 GNC Engineer/Technical Lead focused on navigation modeling, analysis, and simulation in Chandler, Arizona. The role serves as technical lead for navigation modeling, analysis, simulation, and algorithm development supporting launch vehicle products and applications including space launch, targets, interceptors, advanced weapons, and missile defense. The position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommuting. It follows a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off, and requires 10% travel. A Secret clearance is required to start; the role is contingent on obtaining final clearances and program access within a reasonable period as determined by the company. The role provides technical direction for inertial, satellite-based, and integrated navigation solutions and leads performance assessment in challenging conditions, including low-altitude flight, high-dynamic engagements, exo-atmospheric regimes, and GPS-degraded or denied environments. The technical lead mentors engineers and collaborates with functional management, systems, software, and program leadership. The position also supports proposal, capture, and IRAD work as needed. Candidates need a STEM bachelor’s degree and 12 years of related experience, a STEM master’s degree and 10 years, or a PhD and 8 years; an additional 4+ years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Significant experience with inertial, satellite-based, and integrated navigation systems, along with navigation modeling, simulation, analysis, or algorithm development for flight systems, is required.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 12 years of related experience, master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 10 years of related experience, or PhD with 8 years of related experience; an additional 4+ years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Significant experience with inertial, satellite-based, and integrated navigation systems.
- Experience in navigation modeling, simulation, analysis, and/or algorithm development for flight systems.
- Demonstrated technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Experience defining technical approaches, decomposing requirements, conducting trade studies, and driving verification and validation activities.
- Ability to operate independently, lead complex technical efforts, and mentor other engineers.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
- Must obtain final clearances and program access within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
- U.S. citizenship is required for positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Nice To Haves
- Active DoD Secret Security Clearance or higher.
- Experience with C++, MATLAB, Simulink, and Python.
- Experience with Linux.
- Experience with IMUs, GPS receivers, radar altimeters, and related navigation sensors.
- Experience with Kalman filters, navigation algorithms, sensor fusion, and simulation-based performance analysis.
- Experience supporting advanced weapons, tactical strike systems, interceptor programs, missile defense applications, or space-based flight systems.
- Experience with navigation in high-dynamic, exo-atmospheric, GPS-contested, or GPS-denied environments.
- Experience serving as a technical lead or subject matter expert for navigation or GNC efforts.
- Experience supporting design reviews, verification planning, HWIL/SIL environments, and flight test integration.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including direct interaction with customers and senior technical leadership.
Responsibilities
- Lead technical direction, architecture, modeling, simulation, analysis, and verification of navigation solutions for targets, space launch, advanced weapons, tactical strike, interceptor, and missile defense applications.
- Own navigation performance assessment across low-altitude flight, high-speed and high-dynamic engagements, glide phase intercept scenarios, space and exo-atmospheric missions, and degraded or denied GPS conditions.
- Lead development and evaluation of inertial, GPS/GNSS, and integrated multi-sensor navigation approaches.
- Guide estimation and sensor fusion algorithm development, including Kalman filter design, tuning, covariance analysis, and performance characterization.
- Lead sensor performance assessments for IMUs, GPS receivers, radar altimeters, and other applicable aiding sources.
- Translate program and customer requirements into navigation architectures, error budgets, analysis products, and verification approaches.
- Drive technical trade studies, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies related to navigation performance, robustness, and implementation.
- Partner with software, systems engineering, mission analysis, and integration teams to integrate navigation capabilities into flight software and simulation environments.
- Review, mentor, and guide the technical work of other navigation and GNC engineers.
- Communicate technical approaches, risks, and results to engineering teams, chief engineers, program leadership, and customers.
- Support proposal, capture, and IRAD efforts through technical planning, basis-of-estimate input, and customer engagement as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Savings plan
- Company-paid holidays
- Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
