> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1155158-guidance-navigation-controls-gnc-engineer-or-a-principal-guida](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1155158-guidance-navigation-controls-gnc-engineer-or-a-principal-guida). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Guidance Navigation Controls (GNC) Engineer or a Principal Guida - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** El Segundo, CA, United States - **Salary:** $91,800.0 - $137,600.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Computer Programming, Dynamical Systems, Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation, Python (Programming Language), Lua (Scripting Language), MATLAB, SAP (Applications), Simulink, Stateflow, SC Clearance - **Published:** July 1, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9007305/guidance-navigation-controls-gnc-engineer-or-a-principal-guida ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 2 years of related experience; OR a Master's degree in a related STEM discipline with 0 years of experience. * Working knowledge of or experience with fixed-wing aircraft flight dynamics. * Working knowledge of or experience with linear control principles and tools to design feedback control systems. * Working knowledge of or experience with analyzing non-linear simulations of aircraft closed-loop dynamics. * Working knowledge of or experience with autopilot functions. * Working knowledge of or experience with outer loop control law performance requirements. * Experience using MATLAB to create, process, analyze, and visually represent data. * Experience using Simulink to model dynamic systems. * Familiarity with autocoding Simulink models * Working knowledge of logic, modes, and states for autonomous aircraft. * Familiarity with C/C++ programming. * Familiarity with Python programming. * Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs Basic Qualifications for Principal Guidance Navigation Controls Engineer: * Bachelor's degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 5 years of related experience; OR a Master's degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 3 years of experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 1 year of experience. * Working knowledge of or experience with fixed-wing aircraft flight dynamics. * Working knowledge of or experience with linear control principles and tools to design feedback control systems. * Working knowledge of or experience with analyzing non-linear simulations of aircraft closed-loop dynamics. * Working knowledge of or experience with autopilot functions. * Working knowledge of or experience with outer loop control law performance requirements. * Experience using MATLAB to create, process, analyze, and visually represent data. * Experience using Simulink to model dynamic systems. * Familiarity with autocoding Simulink models * Working knowledge of logic, modes, and states for autonomous aircraft. * Familiarity with C/C++ programming. * Familiarity with Python programming. * Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs, * Current active in-scope US Government Secret security clearance or higher, with the ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP). * Experience designing control laws for fixed wing aircraft * Familiarity with MIL-STD-1797 flying qualities requirements * Familiarity with with autonomy algorithms (Autonomous Taxi/ Take Off And Landing, etc.) for driving control laws. * Familiarity with Simulink Stateflow Modeling * Experience with Lua Script programming. * Working knowledge of SAE-94910 performance requirements. ## Description * Support research and development of flight control algorithms for manned and unmanned air vehicles. * Design, develop, implement, verify, and test algorithms, software, and simulation tools to perform guidance, navigation and control (GNC) of autonomous unmanned aircraft. * Develop control laws to meet air vehicle performance, flying qualities, and stability margin requirements both on ground and in flight. * Design outer and inner loop control laws and associated logic and autonomy functions. * Develop air vehicle system linear and non-linear dynamic simulation models and integrate models into software and hardware-in-the-loop simulation environments. * Perform performance and flying qualities analysis. * Support non-linear simulation and hardware-in-the-loop lab testing. * Support flight test activities and analyze air vehicle flight test data. * Develop analysis to support design reviews at different stages in a development program, such as PDR, CDR, etc. This position may be filled at either the GNC Engineer level OR Principal GNC Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below. ## Related Videos - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [Leveraging Large Language Models for Legacy Code Translation: Challenges and Solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1157-leveraging-large-language-models-for-legacy-code-translation-challenges-and-solutions) - [Automated Driving - Why is it so hard to introduce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/628-automated-driving-why-is-it-so-hard-to-introduce) - [Software stack under and over the hood of the fastest accelerating car in the world](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/221-software-stack-under-and-over-the-hood-of-the-fastest-accelerating-car-in-the-world) - [How to develop an autonomous car end-to-end: Robotic Drive and the mobility revolution](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/22-how-to-develop-an-autonomous-car-end-to-end-robotic-drive-and-the-mobility-revolution) - [Reality and Beyond: Coding a Drone Using {Unity 3D .NET} and ChatGPT AI!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/702-reality-and-beyond-coding-a-drone-using-unity-3d-net-and-chatgpt-ai) ## Related Articles - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [The Prompt Engineer ✍️](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/216-the-prompt-engineer) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [7 Important Tips That Every Software Developer Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/101-7-important-tips-that-every-software-developer-should-know) - [Got AI ideas but no money? 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