Jobs › Companies › Northrop Grumman › Principal or Sr. Principal Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer

About this Principal or Sr. Principal Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer role at Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman · Hybrid · United States-California-El Segundo
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 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.

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.
Ready to apply to Northrop Grumman?
Apply to Northrop Grumman

About Northrop Grumman

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.

See all jobs at Northrop Grumman →

Similar jobs

Northrop Grumman
2026 Component Test Lab Production Planner & Scheduler ( Level 1 or 2) - Dulles VA
Northrop Grumman
⚡ Apply early United States-Virginia-Dulles Onsite $57,300–$85,900
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 4h ago
Northrop Grumman
Principal / Sr Principal Engineer Aeronautical - Hardware Avionics
Northrop Grumman
⚡ Apply early United States-California-San D... Hybrid $114,000–$171,000
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 4h ago
Northrop Grumman
Principal Engineer Manufacturing/2nd shift
Northrop Grumman
⚡ Apply early United States-Maryland-Baltimo... Onsite $98,900–$148,300
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 4h ago
Northrop Grumman
Systems Engineer - Level 3
Northrop Grumman
⚡ Apply early United States-Arizona-Chandler Onsite $98,400–$147,600
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 4h ago
Northrop Grumman
Financial Accountant
Northrop Grumman
⚡ Apply early Australia-Fortitude Valley Onsite
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 4h ago
Northrop Grumman
Computer Operations Analyst - Level 2
Northrop Grumman
⚡ Apply early United States-Colorado-Schriev... Onsite $75,800–$113,800
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 11h ago
Northrop Grumman
People & Culture Consultant
Northrop Grumman
⚡ Apply early Australia-Fortitude Valley Onsite
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 1d ago
Northrop Grumman
Inspector - Level 2 or 3
Northrop Grumman
⚡ Apply early United States-Minnesota-Plymou... Onsite $45,100–$75,100
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 1d ago
Northrop Grumman
CSOC Lead
Northrop Grumman
⚡ Apply early United Kingdom-Cheltenham Onsite £60,300–£90,500
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 1d ago

Sign up for suggestions tailored to the jobs you open and the searches you save.

More jobs at Northrop Grumman

See all jobs at Northrop Grumman →

Apply now
🤖

Whoa — hold up

JobsRadar was built for real people having a rough time in their job search — not for automated requests. You're clicking way too fast and you're now temporarily blocked.

Come back later. If you're genuinely job hunting, we've got your back — just act like a human.

Catch your next role the second it’s posted.

Create a free account and we’ll watch the boards for you — the instant a job matches your search, it lands in your inbox or Telegram. No digging, no refreshing.

Create free account

Free forever · takes 30 seconds · already have one?

Get an edge on your job hunt.

Join our Telegram channel for the stuff that helps you land the role — salary benchmarks, the weekly market pulse, and new-feature drops. No spam, just signal.

Join the channel — it's free