2026 Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer - Dulles VA (AHT)
About The Position
Northrop Grumman is seeking motivated GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) engineers to solve complex problems that protect the nation. The GNC team designs, builds, and tests spacecraft subsystems for DoD, NASA, and commercial customers, with a focus on innovative solutions for autonomous rendezvous and docking, and rapid design/production of small satellites. GNC analysis engineers will work within the GNC subsystem team and are expected to design, analyze, and tune control loops and filters, design, develop, test, and verify flight algorithms, analyze and test subsystem performance, and perform analysis to support early design phases. They will also develop simulation models for various spacecraft components and the space environment. Communication is key, and engineers are expected to apply engineering principles, document and present findings, and work effectively in teams. The Northrop Grumman Space Division is a strategic partner in satellite and human spacecraft design, delivery, operation, and sustainment, supporting programs like NASA's Artemis and TESS.
Requirements
- Be completing or has completed their Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution (for Associate GNC Engineer)
- Be majoring in or having majored in an Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field (for Associate GNC Engineer)
- Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) (for Associate GNC Engineer)
- Be completing or has completed their Master’s Degree from an accredited institution (for GNC Engineer)
- Be majoring in or having majored in an Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field (for GNC Engineer)
- Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) (for GNC Engineer)
Nice To Haves
- Have an 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 related field
- Proficiency in Microsoft office suite, version control tools such as SVN or Git
- Experience with Model Based Systems engineering, digital transformation tools such as the Atlassian suite.
- Previous/current membership or leadership roles in professional groups, clubs, or extracurricular activities is desired
- 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 (e.g. Kalman filters) for attitude determination and relative navigation
- Design, develop, test and verify flight algorithms for the GNC subsystem and support flight software qualification testing
- Analyze and test the spacecraft GNC subsystem performance using simulations and other analytic tools
- Perform analysis to support early design phase concept development 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 (e.g. star tracker, rate gyro, accelerometer, GPS, magnetometer, sun sensors, visible and IR spectrum cameras, LIDAR), actuators (e.g. reaction wheel, torque bar, thruster, CMG), system dynamics (e.g. rigid body, multi-body, orbit mechanics, flexible models, propellant slosh), and the space environment (e.g. atmospheric, solar radiation pressure, third-body gravity, geopotential)
- Apply engineering principles, industry standards, company process, and knowledge of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, classical/modern control, and estimation theory to perform tasks to advanced program/project goals
- Document designs, analysis, and test results and create presentation materials
- Present designs, analysis, and test results to internal and external customers
- Work well within small- to medium-sized groups
Benefits
- Relocation assistance may be available
- health insurance coverage
- life and disability insurance
- savings plan
- Company paid holidays
- paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- overtime
- shift differential
- discretionary bonus
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
