BAE Systems

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Principal Systems Engineer

BAE Systems$108K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM with 6+ years of relevant experience.
  • Must be a US Citizen with ability to obtain a DoW Security Clearance.
  • Expertise in multi-sensor fusion techniques for navigation.
  • Deep understanding of inertial navigation principles and error sources.
  • Proficiency in Kalman filtering for estimation problems.
  • Strong programming skills in C++, Python, or MATLAB.
  • Effective communication skills for technical topics.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement navigation algorithms using multi-source sensor fusion.
  • Design, tune, and optimize Kalman filter estimators.
  • Architect and analyze inertial navigation systems (INS) and sensor modeling.
  • Perform system modeling and simulation of navigation performance.
  • Integrate navigation algorithms into embedded real-time systems.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams for subsystem integration.
  • Document requirements, algorithm designs, and test results.

Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) savings plan with company matching.
  • Disability and life insurance coverage.
  • Paid time off and holiday leave.
  • Various leave programs including paid parental and military leave.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Because this role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format, with time split between working onsite and remotely.

The Ground, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer is responsible for the design, development, integration, and validation of advanced navigation solutions for aerospace, defense, or autonomous platforms. This role focuses on developing robust algorithms and architectures that provide accurate and reliable state estimation under challenging, dynamic, and sensor-limited environments.

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and implement navigation algorithms using multi-source sensor fusion, combining data from inertial sensors, GPS/GNSS, vision systems, radar, and other external aids.
  • Design, tune, and optimize Kalman-filter-based estimators, including EKF, UKF, CKF, and advanced non-linear filtering methods.
  • Architect and analyze inertial navigation systems (INS), including strapdown integration, sensor error modeling, bias/scale factor estimation, and drift compensation.
  • Perform system modeling, simulation, and analysis of navigation and guidance performance under varying mission scenarios.
  • Integrate navigation algorithms into embedded real-time systems and support software verification, validation, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams in GNC, autonomy, avionics, and systems engineering to ensure seamless integration of navigation subsystems.
  • Conduct trade studies and performance analyses to evaluate sensor configurations, filter approaches, and navigation architectures.
  • Document requirements, interface specifications, algorithm designs, and test results to support certification and product development.


Required Skills and Education

  • Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline, and 6 plus years of direct related experience.
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Have the ability to obtain a DoW Security Clearance.
  • Strong expertise in multi-sensor fusion techniques for navigation and state estimation.
  • Deep understanding of inertial navigation principles, IMU error sources, INS mechanization, and inertial alignment methods.
  • Proficiency in Kalman filtering and its variants for linear and nonlinear estimation problems.
  • Experience with navigation system modeling, simulation environments, and performance analysis.
  • Familiarity with aerospace or autonomous system GNC frameworks and real-time implementation constraints.
  • Strong programming skills in languages typically used for algorithm development (e.g., C++, Python, MATLAB).
  • Ability to interpret sensor data, analyze system behavior, and diagnose estimation issues through statistical and signal-processing methods.
  • Effective communication skills for explaining complex technical topics to multidisciplinary teams.
  • Experience working with software and systems engineering processes
  • Experience with leadership as a part of program execution
  • Experience with real-time embedded hardware systems
  • A working knowledge of Communication Systems, Digital Signal Processing, or Radio Frequency Filtering


Preferred Skills and Education

  • Masters or PhD degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline, and 6 plus years of direct related experience.
  • Secret Clearance
  • Experience with Jira and DOORS
  • Experience or interest in utilizing AI tools for system development
  • Experience with Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) tools (CAMEO, SysML, MagicDraw, etc.)


Benefits Information

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

Intern Benefits: Temporary employees generally are not eligible for BAE Systems benefits, but can elect to participate in the 401(k) savings plan. Temporary employees working 20+ hours per week are eligible for medical benefits, the employee assistance program, and business travel accident insurance.

Please note: Some benefits may be different for union employees that are governed by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or for positions covered by a wage law called the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA).

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems plc is a British multinational arms, security, and aerospace company. It is among the world's largest defense contractors, with over 85,000 employees and operations in over 40 countries. BAE Systems is involved in the design, development, and manufacture of a wide range of products and services, including military aircraft, naval ships, and land vehicles. The company also provides a range of cybersecurity and intelligence services. BAE Systems has a long history, dating back to the 19th century, and has been involved in many major defense projects. Visit baesystems.com for more information.
Learn more about BAE Systems
Size
90,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1997
NASDAQ

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