Northrop Grumman

Calling all mid-career TS-cleared Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineers!

Northrop Grumman$114K — $171K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active/current Top Secret (TS) clearance with ability to obtain SCI approval
  • Bachelor's degree with 5 years relevant experience (or equivalent experience in lieu of degree)
  • Master's degree with 3 years relevant experience
  • PhD with 1 year relevant experience
  • Experience in developing software in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++
  • Hands-on experience in GNC subsystem design, analysis, and testing

Responsibilities

  • Design and tune spacecraft attitude and position control loops
  • Analyze relative guidance solutions for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations
  • Develop Kalman filters for attitude determination and relative navigation
  • Test GNC subsystem performance with simulations and analytics
  • Conduct early phase design analysis on various subsystems
  • Create simulation models for sensors and actuators
  • Document and present designs and analysis results to stakeholders

Benefits

  • Relocation assistance may be available
  • Comprehensive Total Rewards package including health insurance
  • Paid time off for vacation and personal business
  • Opportunities for professional development
  • Employee bonuses based on individual contributions and company performance
Full Job Description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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.

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer supporting a team located in Dulles, VA, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one.  

This role is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.   

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

The GNC team designs, builds, and tests spacecraft subsystems for a mix of DoD, NASA, and commercial customers. We are leaders in innovative solutions to the rapidly growing/evolving fields of space based autonomous rendezvous and docking and rapid design/production of small satellites.

Job Responsibilities
In this role you will:

  • Design, analyze, and tune spacecraft attitude and position control loops using time and frequency domain techniques

  • Design and analyze relative guidance solutions for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)

  • Design, analyze, and tune sequential filters (e.g. Kalman filters) for attitude determination and relative navigation

  • Analyze and test the spacecraft GNC subsystem performance using simulations and other analytic tools

  • Perform analysis to support early design phase concept development including actuator sizing and placement, sensor selection and placement, attitude and position guidance, rendezvous, proximity operations and docking analyses, and predicted performance assessments

  • Develop simulation models for sensors (e.g. star tracker, rate gyro, accelerometer, GPS, magnetometer, sun sensors), actuators (e.g. reaction wheel, torque bar, thruster, CMG), system dynamics (e.g. rigid body, multi-body, orbit mechanics, flexible models, propellant slosh), and the space environment (e.g. atmospheric, solar radiation pressure, third-body gravity, geopotential)

  • Communication is a key element of your role and all GNC engineers are expected to:

  • Apply engineering principles, industry standards, company process, and knowledge of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, classical/modern control, and estimation theory to perform tasks to advanced program/project goals

  • Document designs, analysis, and test results and create presentation materials

  • Present designs, analysis, and test results to internal and external customers

  • Work well within small- to medium-sized groups

This role is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.   

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Requires an active/current U.S. Government DoD Top-Secret (TS) security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with an ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval AND Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) approval/access within a reasonable period of time

  • Level 3: (Principal level)

    • Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant engineering experience

      • May consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a completed degree

    • Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant engineering experience

    • PhD with 1 year of relevant engineering experience

  • Level 4: (Sr Principal level)

    • Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant engineering experience

      • May consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a completed degree

    • Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant engineering experience

    • PhD with 4 years of relevant engineering experience

  • Experience developing software in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++

  • Experience in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) subsystem design, analysis, and testing; can include Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS)

 Preferred Qualifications:      

  • Current/Active TS with SCI

  • MS or PhD in engineering, physics, or math

  • Experience with version control tools such as SVN or Git

  • Experience implementing spacecraft GNC algorithms on embedded systems

  • Strong technical fundamentals in the areas of spacecraft attitude and orbit dynamics, navigation filtering and/or control systems design

  • Experience with on-orbit space vehicle operations, commanding, debugging, and use of flight telemetry to track performance metrics

  • Experience with Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) algorithms, practices and planning strategies

  • Experience with performing spacecraft GNC design, analysis, Hardware (HW) and Integration & Test (I&T), or flight operations.

  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

  • Previous/current membership or leadership roles in professional groups, clubs, or extracurricular activities are desired

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards 

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

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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a security company that provides systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding, and technical services to government and commercial customers. They design, develop, and build everything from aircraft and spacecraft to cyber security systems. The company is involved in a wide range of defense and technology projects, including the development of aircraft, space systems, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced electronics.

Northrop Grumman Careers

Join the elite team at Northrop Grumman, a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products, and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. There has never been a more exciting time to advance your career with Northrop Grumman.

Work You’ll Do

At Northrop Grumman, your work will redefine the edges of technology and create a safer future. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and bringing your whole self to work. Our team is at the forefront of innovation, collaborating to make the impossible, possible.

Explore Job Opportunities and Growth

Whether you’re looking for an internship, an entry-level position, or a spot for seasoned professionals, Northrop Grumman offers a variety of career paths that encourage growth and development. Explore job opportunities that elevate your skills, and push your career to the next level.

Join Our Diverse and Inclusive Team

Diversity and inclusion are the foundations of our culture. Northrop Grumman is committed to building a diverse team that fosters an inclusive environment, where every team member is valued for their unique perspectives and contributions. We believe that diversity fuels innovation.

Professional Development and Benefits

Northrop Grumman is dedicated to your professional and personal growth. We offer unparalleled benefits, including comprehensive health coverage, generous time off, and family care resources. Additionally, we provide extensive leadership and diversity training to help you craft your career path.

Networking and Leadership

Enhance your career through our robust networking opportunities. Connect with leaders and peers within Northrop Grumman through various events, mentorship programs, and professional groups. Our leadership is deeply invested in nurturing talent and guiding team members through their career journey.

Innovation in Technology

Drive technological breakthroughs with a company at the cutting edge of innovation. Northrop Grumman is a place where you can work on projects that push the boundaries of what is possible.

How to Apply

Ready to join our team? Check out the open positions on our Careers page. Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. Prepare for your interview with us by researching our projects and understanding our company’s mission and values.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest news, job openings, and insider tips by subscribing to our careers blog. Personalize your experience by joining our community and setting up job alert emails tailored to your career preferences.

Northrop Grumman Jobs

Discover the impact you can make with a career at Northrop Grumman. We are actively hiring and looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Search Northrop Grumman jobs today and find where your expertise is needed most. Join Northrop Grumman, and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference, not only within the company but in the world at large. Your journey to building a rewarding career starts here.
Learn more about Northrop Grumman
Size
88,000 employees
Market Cap
$82.7 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1939
5 Year Trend
+7.6%
Revenue
$36.7 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Northrop Grumman

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Calling all mid-career TS-cleared Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineers! jobs: