Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Engineer

Saalex•Lexington Park, MD

8h•$140,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

Greenfield Engineering, a Saalex Company is seeking a Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Engineer in Patuxent River, MD to support the development, integration, testing, and fielding of advanced communications and avionics systems across Naval Aviation platforms. The Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Engineer applies systems engineering principles to support the integration of advanced navigation capabilities required for aircraft to operate in modernized civil and military airspace environments worldwide. The incumbent serves as a contributing technical team member, providing Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) engineering support across Navy and Marine Corps platforms. The position is responsible for working within a team of engineers to assist in the formulation of technical direction, technical planning, and the development of specifications. The incumbent applies technical expertise in the areas of aircraft integration for Performance Based Navigation (PBN), Area Navigation (RNAV), Required Navigation Performance (RNP), and Flight Management System (FMS) architectures. Work is performed under the administrative and general policy supervision of the Core Avionics Engineering Division Director and Position, Navigation, and Timing Branch Head. The incumbent acts as a practicing engineer and technical contributor, providing engineering analysis, recommendations, and guidance to support platform-level Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and senior navigation engineers. This position is a key contributor to ensuring that Naval Aviation platforms maintain global reach and interoperability within modernized civil and military airspace. By providing hands-on engineering analysis and technical support, the incumbent ensures that PBN integration and certification efforts are successfully executed, directly enabling mission effectiveness, safety of flight, and compliance with global airspace mandates.

Requirements

Knowledge of systems engineering principles related to avionics and navigation systems.
Working familiarity with Performance Based Navigation (PBN), RNAV, RNP, WAAS/SBAS, and Flight Management Systems (FMS).
Understanding of civil aviation mandates, FAA regulations, and international airspace requirements (ICAO).
Ability to contribute to technical efforts across diverse engineering disciplines and program offices.
Ability to analyze technical data and assist in the review of engineering documentation.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively as part of a technical team.
Experience or academic coursework related to the design, integration, or testing of navigation systems, with exposure to PBN, FMS, or civil airspace integration.
Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles to solve technical problems.
A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
Active Secret clearance required to start. Must be eligible to obtain Top Secret / SCI clearance. Requirements to obtain a clearance include US Citizenship, security investigation, etc.

Responsibilities

Provides engineering support for the aircraft integration and sustainment of PBN capabilities, including Area Navigation (RNAV), Required Navigation Performance (RNP), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) approach capabilities (e.g., LPV, LNAV/VNAV), and modern Flight Management Systems (FMS).
Provides technical analysis and design review support to multiple aircraft program offices executing these integration efforts.
Contributes to technology advancement in the area of PBN capabilities to ensure military aircraft can successfully navigate Next Generation (NextGen) and international airspace structures.
Assists in the execution of technical plans and research and development efforts in the area of future civil airspace navigation technologies.
Collaborates effectively with external groups and across NAWCAD/NAVAIR.
Works as part of the technical team to coordinate with program offices and support the evaluation of evolving civil aviation mandates and data-link requirements to ensure DoD aircraft compliance.
Assists in the development of Engineering Data Requirements Agreement Plan (EDRAP) inputs and supports the review of flight clearances for the integration of PBN and related avionics technologies.
Works with senior engineers to review PBN-related designs, appendices, and architectures to ensure technical accuracy and compliance with established requirements.
Other duties as assigned or required.