> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1805359-principal-or-senior-principal-guidance-navigation-controls-gnc-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1805359-principal-or-senior-principal-guidance-navigation-controls-gnc-engineer). 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). --- # Principal or Senior Principal Guidance Navigation Controls (GNC) Engineer - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** El Segundo, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $114,000.0 - $171,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Computer Programming, Dynamical Systems, Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation, Python (Programming Language), Lua (Scripting Language), MATLAB, SAP (Applications), Simulink, Stateflow - **Published:** July 1, 2026 - **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/03BED0386D0D4306A55AC4B5E6A65468/job/ ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in a related Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 5 years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in a related STEM with 1 year of relevant experience. * Experience with fixed-wing aircraft flight dynamics. * Experience using linear control principles and tools to design feedback control systems. * Experience analyzing non-linear simulations of aircraft closed-loop dynamics. * Working knowledge of autopilot functions. * Working knowledge of 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 clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs, * Bachelor's degree in a related Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 9 years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 7 years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in a related STEM with 4 years of relevant experience. * Experience with fixed-wing aircraft flight dynamics. * Experience using linear control principles and tools to design feedback control systems. * Experience analyzing non-linear simulations of aircraft closed-loop dynamics. * Working knowledge of autopilot functions. * Working knowledge of 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 clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs, * A current active in-scope DUS Government Secret security clearance or higher, with the ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP). * Experience designing control laws for fixed wing aircraft and performing handling qualities analysis * Familiarity with Simulink Stateflow Modeling * Working knowledge of MIL-STD-1797 flying qualities requirements * Experience with autonomy algorithms (Autonomous Taxi/ Take Off and Landing, etc.) for driving control laws. * 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. ## 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) - [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) - [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) - [Automated Driving - Why is it so hard to introduce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/628-automated-driving-why-is-it-so-hard-to-introduce) - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) ## Related Articles - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [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) - [The Prompt Engineer ✍️](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/216-the-prompt-engineer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [What Jobs Can You Get with a Software Engineering Degree?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/398-what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-software-engineering-degree)