Gnc Engineer - Navigation

Job Title:

GNC Engineer - Navigation

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, analyzing, and implementing guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms for aerospace vehicles. The GNC Engineer develops advanced navigation and sensor fusion solutions, builds high‑fidelity models and simulations, and translates algorithms into robust, flight‑ready software. The position works closely with embedded software teams to integrate and verify GNC functionality in real‑time environments.

Responsibilities

* Design, analyze, and implement guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms for aerospace vehicles.

* Develop sensor fusion algorithms, including Kalman filtering techniques such as extended and unscented Kalman filters and complementary filters.

* Evaluate and integrate navigation sensors such as inertial measurement units (IMUs), GPS, star trackers, and LiDAR into GNC architectures.

* Perform 6‑degree‑of‑freedom (6‑DOF) modeling, simulation, and performance analysis to assess system behavior under nominal and off‑nominal conditions.

* Build high‑fidelity dynamic models of vehicles, sensors, actuators, and environmental disturbances to support analysis and design.

* Conduct Monte Carlo analyses and sensitivity studies to validate the robustness, reliability, and performance margins of GNC solutions.

* Use tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C, and C++ to develop, run, and refine simulations and analytical models.

* Translate GNC algorithms into flight‑ready software with a focus on numerical stability, computational efficiency, and real‑time performance.

* Collaborate with embedded software teams to integrate, test, and verify GNC functionality on hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) systems.

* Participate in HIL testing campaigns to validate sensor models, flight software, and closed‑loop system performance.

* Model and characterize sensors to improve navigation accuracy and robustness in operational environments.

Essential Skills

* Strong experience in guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) engineering for aerospace applications.

* Proficiency in developing and applying Kalman filter-based estimation, including extended and unscented Kalman filters and complementary filters.

* Hands‑on experience with sensor fusion and sensor modeling for navigation systems.

* Proficiency with 6‑degree‑of‑freedom (6‑DOF) modeling, simulation, and performance analysis.

* Experience conducting Monte Carlo analyses and sensitivity studies for robustness and reliability assessment.

* Proficiency in MATLAB and Simulink for algorithm development, modeling, and simulation.

* Strong programming skills in C and C++ for implementing flight software and real‑time algorithms.

* Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing for aerospace, defense, or aviation systems.

* Familiarity with navigation sensors such as IMUs, GPS, star trackers, and LiDAR.

* Experience in aerospace, defense, or aviation environments with exposure to flight software and real‑time systems.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

* Experience working on aerospace, defense, or aviation programs involving real‑time flight software.

* Hands‑on experience modeling and integrating LiDAR and other advanced navigation sensors.

* Familiarity with Python or similar environments for analysis, scripting, and automation of simulations.

* Experience collaborating with embedded software teams on integration and verification activities.

* Understanding of environmental disturbance modeling and its impact on GNC performance.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $80.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

* Medical, dental & vision

* Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

* 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

* Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

*…