
Principal or Sr. Principal Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer
Job Description
Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems has an opening for a Principal or Sr. Principal Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer to join our Advanced GNC team in Rancho Bernardo, CA or El Segundo, CA.
Essential Functions:
- Design, develop, implement, verify and test algorithms, software and simulation tools to perform guidance, navigation and control (GNC).
- Develop control laws to meet air vehicle performance, flying qualities and stability margin requirements, both on ground and in flight.
- Develop air vehicle system linear and non-linear dynamic simulation models and integrate models into software and hardware-in-the-loop simulation environments.
- Develop modern control laws, conduct trade studies on unconventional control effectors.
- Work on unusually complex design technical problems and drive innovative solutions.
- Develop analysis to support design reviews at different stages in a development program, such as PDR, CDR, etc.
- Analyze air vehicle flight test data and support flight test activities.
This position requires 100% on-site work. Telework/hybrid schedule is not allowed. The anticipated travel for this role is approximately 20% - 25%.
This position may be filled at either the Principal GNC Engineer level or the Senior Principal GNC level, depending upon the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for Principal GNC Engineer:
- Bachelor's Degree in a related Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline with 5 years of relevant experience; OR a Master's Degree in a related STEM discipline with 3 years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in related STEM discipline with 1 year of relevant experience.
- Must have experience on a team of GNC engineers.
- Must be proficient in and have experience with Matlab, Simulink, and autocoding Simulink models.
- Active US Government Secret clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).
Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal GNC Engineer:
- Bachelor's Degree in a related Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline with 8 years of relevant experience; OR a Master's Degree in a related STEM discipline with 6 years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in related STEM discipline with 4 years of relevant experience.
- Must have experience on a team of GNC engineers.
- Must be proficient in and have experience with Matlab, Simulink, and autocoding Simulink models.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret (or Top Secret, depending upon program need) clearance prior to commencement of employment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
- Active US Government Secret or Top Secret clearance (highly preferred)
- Special Program Access
- Experience with NGAS Common Products Core VMS GNC modelling
- Knowledge of C/C++, Java, Python
- Knowledgeable in the area of flight sciences, control law development, and control system analysis.
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Job Details
- Category
- Avionics
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- El Segundo; United States-California-San Diego, CA
- Posted
- May 14, 2026, 08:28 PM
- Compensation
- $114,000 - $171,000 per year
About Northrop Grumman
Part of the growing frontier tech ecosystem pushing the edges of what's possible.
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