Principal R&D Engineer - Navigation Analysis

Honeywell Aerospace•Redmond, WA

3d•$176,000 - $252,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Principal Research and Development Engineer - Navigation Analysis at Honeywell Aerospace, you will lead the strategic advancement of alternative navigation technologies. You will lead the analysis, design, and development of navigation solutions that improve the safety, reliability, and performance of aerospace systems. The position is based in Redmond, Washington, or Plymouth, Minnesota, with a hybrid onsite work schedule. You will guide engineering teams, influence technical direction, and help recruit and develop talent while supporting retention, engagement, and an inclusive workplace.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a technical discipline such as science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
10 or more years of research and development experience focused on navigation systems or related aerospace technologies.
Deep expertise in navigation algorithms, sensor fusion, and alternative navigation techniques.
Proficiency with navigation system simulation tools, data analysis software, and programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C++.
Extensive experience with aerospace navigation standards and regulatory requirements.
Must be a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or person with protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status, or have the ability to obtain export authorization.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
Experience leading complex navigation technology projects from concept through deployment.
Expertise with GNSS, inertial navigation systems, and alternative navigation technologies such as terrain-referenced navigation, vision-based navigation, and sensor fusion for GPS-denied or degraded environments.
Ability to architect and validate algorithms that integrate multiple sensor inputs, including inertial sensors, radar altimeters, cameras, LiDAR, and other environmental sensors.
Knowledge of error modeling, fault detection, and mitigation strategies for navigation system integrity, robustness, and aerospace safety compliance.
Experience applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to navigation data processing, anomaly detection, and system optimization.
Proficiency with simulation environments and hardware-in-the-loop testing methodologies.
Hands-on experience with CUDA programming and NVIDIA Jetson platforms or equivalent high-performance embedded computing technologies.
Experience transitioning research innovations into operational aerospace navigation products or solutions, including stakeholder management and regulatory approval processes.
Proven leadership in driving complex projects and delivering innovative navigation solutions.
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
Knowledge of software development best practices and architecture principles, and ability to influence and establish technical standards.
Leadership and mentoring skills, including the ability to inspire multidisciplinary teams, foster collaboration, and promote technical excellence and inclusion.
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to executives, customers, and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

Lead the analysis, design, and development of advanced alternative navigation algorithms and systems.
Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to integrate navigation solutions into aerospace platforms.
Oversee research initiatives and validation testing to assess performance, reliability, and compliance under diverse operational conditions.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, fostering innovation and professional growth.
Influence strategic planning and roadmap development for navigation technology advancements aligned with business objectives.
Recruit top talent, develop successors, and drive employee retention and engagement.