RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Interim 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.
If forging a secure future excites you, look no further! Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector provides an arena where your passion for innovation and quest for exploration are welcome. As a GNC Engineer – Level 3 or Level 4 your role at Chandler, AZ will be pivotal in supporting missions critical to national and global security. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
Ready to join forces with our visionary team?
The GPI Program designs, develops, and validates algorithms, software, and simulation tools that provide precision guidance, navigation, and control for aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, launch vehicles, and marine platforms throughout all mission phases—from powered ascent and coast to orbital insertion and interplanetary cruise. It processes sensor data statistically to feed realistic navigation models, formulates equations to achieve desired positions, orientations, or orbits, and creates control laws together with the necessary hardware and software specifications. Rigorous verification and testing ensure reliable performance during launch, staging events, and sustained operations in diverse environments.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
In this job, you will:
- Design, develop, implement, verify, and test algorithms, software, and simulation tools that enable guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) for aircraft, spacecraft, submersibles, surface ships, missiles, launch vehicles, and upper stages throughout all mission phases (powered ascent, coast, flight, Earth orbit, interplanetary cruise, orbital insertion, and staging events).
- Perform statistical processing of measured sensor data and integrate the results into algorithms that simulate physical reality for navigation functions.
- Formulate and implement the equations required to achieve specific positions, orientations, or orbital trajectories as part of the guidance function.
- Develop control laws and define hardware and software requirements for control‑design and analysis of aircraft, launch vehicles, and spacecraft.
- Conduct comprehensive verification and testing, including unit, integration, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), and flight‑representative simulations, to ensure compliance with mission performance and safety standards.
- Document all design decisions, test plans, results, and compliance evidence in accordance with aerospace software standards (e.g., DO‑178C, ECSS).
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams—systems engineering, flight operations, and hardware engineering—to align GNC solutions with overall vehicle architecture and mission objectives.
- Other duties as assigned
If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!
This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or Level 4.
Basic Qualifications for Level 3:
- Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance
- Experience performing performance analysis on large data sets using data‑analytics and statistical‑analysis techniques.
- Proficiency creating and maintaining analysis tools in C++, MATLAB, and Python.
- Strong C++ development skills in a Linux environment.
- Proficiency with MATLAB and Python toolchains.
Basic Qualifications for Level 4:
- Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience– OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
- Requires an active U.S. Government Interim Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
- Experience performing performance analysis on large data sets using data‑analytics and statistical‑analysis techniques.
- Proficiency creating and maintaining analysis tools in C++, MATLAB, and Python.
- Strong C++ development skills in a Linux environment.
- Proficiency with MATLAB and Python toolchains.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience in performance and root‑cause analysis of hypersonic missile systems.
- Hands‑on experience developing, testing, or integrating GNC algorithms for hypersonic missiles.
- Proficiency with high‑fidelity 6‑DoF simulation environments for vehicle dynamics and guidance analysis.
- Familiarity with the AEGIS weapon system architecture and operational concepts.
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: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00
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.
