Skip to main content
← Back to jobs
Northrop Grumman logo

Staff Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer (Lead)

Compensation
$177,000–$265,600/year

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time

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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Staff Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer (Lead) to join our GNC team of qualified diverse individuals. This position will be located in Rancho Bernardo, CA or El Segundo, CA.

Essential Functions:

  • Lead a team of GNC engineers at all levels of experience in conducting in-depth analysis and control law development for program in the initial phase.
  • Conduct in-depth non-linear 6DOF Simulation analysis (including stress testing, trade studies, mission analysis, etc)
  • Perform in-depth analysis and develop presentations to program management.
  • Serve as technical spokesman with program management, including preparation and presentation of technical briefings.
  • Develop charts for design reviews at different stages in a development program, such as PDR, CDR, etc. May be called upon to support proposal preparation efforts and new project activities, including responsibility for project technical aspects, cost, schedule, and reviews.

This position requires 100% on-site work. No telework/hybrid work schedule is allowed. Anticipated travel is approximately 20% - 25%.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a related Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline with 12 years of relevant experience in engineering; OR a Master's Degree in a related STEM discipline with 10 years of relevant engineering experience; OR a PhD in a related STEM discipline with 8 years of relevant engineering experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading a diverse team of GNC engineers on a development program.
  • Must be proficient in and have experience with Matlab, Simulink, and autocoding Simulink models.
  • Must be proficient in Linear analysis (gain/phase margin determination, gain/filter determination, etc.)
  • Active US Government Secret clearance
  • Ability to obtain maintain Special Program Access

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Current or previously-held 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.

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Optimize Your Resume for This Job

Get a match score and see exactly which keywords you're missing

Optimize Resume

Job Details

Category
Avionics
Employment Type
Full Time
Location
El Segundo; United States-California-San Diego, CA
Posted
May 14, 2026, 05:29 PM
Compensation
$177,000 - $265,600 per year

About Northrop Grumman

Part of the growing frontier tech ecosystem pushing the edges of what's possible.

Found this role interesting?

Staff Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer (Lead)
Northrop Grumman
Apply ↗

Shipping like we're funded. We're not. No affiliation.

Sequoia logo
Y Combinator logo
Founders Fund logo
a16z logo