Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III (Senior) - Top Secret

In this role, you will contribute to the design, analysis, and testing of guidance, navigation, and control systems that enable spacecraft to operate in complex space environments. You’ll collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to develop robust, flight-proven GN&C solutions and ensure mission success through rigorous simulation and validation.

What You Will Be Doing

• Perform spacecraft controls design, analysis, simulation, and testing activities.
• Develop and validate GN&C algorithms and flight software.
• Utilize simulation and programming tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, C++, Python).
• Apply Kalman Filtering and Attitude Determination techniques to mission design.
• Support hardware integration and mission operations in a dynamic, team-oriented environment., Designs, develops, implements, verifies and tests algorithms to perform guidance, navigation and control of aircraft, spacecraft, launch vehicles and upper stages during powered and coast phases of flight, earth orbit, interplanetary cruise and orbital insertion, as well as during staging events. Navigation functions include the statistical processing of measured data points and their substitution into algorithms simulating physical reality. Guidance functions include the formulation of specific equations and control laws to achieve a desired position in space. Control design and analyses processes consist of the development of the control requirements for aircraft, launch vehicles and/or spacecraft.

Applicants will generally possess a minimum of 3+ years of related experience and may have a post-secondary degree or training in a related discipline.

Successful completion of customer required Polygraph Examination with favorable results is required for long term employment on this program, * Strong experience in spacecraft controls design, analysis, simulation, and test.

• Experience with simulation and programming tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, C++, Python.
• Experience with Kalman Filtering and Attitude Determination.

Security Clearance / Work Authorization:

• To meet requirements of the program/customer, this position requires the selected employee to be a U.S. Citizen.
• Active Top Secret security clearance is required prior to start, and necessary for consideration
• Top Secret security clearance with adjudicated SCI (i.e. TS/SCI) is required for long term employment on this program.
• Selected candidates must be willing to consent to Polygraph Examination, receiving favorable results, as required by our end customer.

Desired Skills

• Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Poly.
• Experience with flight software development and autocode to C++.
• Jitter analysis experience (highly desired).
• Familiarity with a GN&C hardware suite for space applications.
• Mission operations experience.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, collaborative team environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical issues to peers, management, subcontractors, and customers.

Full-Time Salary Range: $110300.00 - $204900.00

At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow-both professionally and personally.

The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.

• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
• For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.

Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.

Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security, and our humanity. At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We’re creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security vision. We’re advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation. Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that’s built for you

About the Team :

Our Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) group challenges convention and drives innovation to transform how missions are executed. We design and develop the hardware, algorithms, and software that enable precision control of complex systems in demanding, zero-gravity environments. Through digital modernization, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies, we push the boundaries of national security and defense.

While much of the work on this program remains classified, you will play a key role in developing end-to-end solutions that deliver tangible impact. You’ll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in engineering to design, integrate, and deploy pioneering capabilities that shape the future of our mission.