Principal/Sr. Principal Systems Engineer - GNC (20154)

Description

The company is hiring a Principal or Sr. Principal Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Systems Engineer for its Defense Systems business. The role is based in Huntsville, AL, and supports the Strategic Deterrent Systems (SDS) Division.

The position may be filled at either level, depending on your qualifications.

The work covers cruise missiles and flight vehicles in the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase of the SLCM N program.

Relocation assistance may be available. A Secret clearance is required to start, and travel is 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design and verify GNC solutions and 6 DOF flight dynamics models for cruise missiles and flight vehicles in the TMRR phase of the SLCM N program.
• Develop autopilot, targeting and guidance algorithms, and assess their stability, performance and robustness using advanced control theory and high-fidelity simulation.
• Define GNC requirements and interfaces to control effectors, navigation sensors and propulsion systems. Evaluate how latency, bandwidth and sensor characteristics affect system performance.
• Integrate GNC algorithms into real-time embedded flight software, supporting requirements decomposition, interface control documents and verification.
• Run Monte Carlo, robustness and performance analyses in MATLAB/Simulink and Python. Identify technical risks, quantify margins and support risk reduction trade studies.
• Support flight test programs by helping plan tests, define instrumentation and telemetry, and reconstruct and diagnose GNC performance after flights.
• Work with aerodynamics, structures, thermal, software and systems engineering to keep GNC designs integrated, feasible and aligned with vehicle and mission requirements.
• Implement GNC software using modern practices such as Git and CI/CD pipelines, within real-time operating system constraints.
• Write clear technical documentation and presentations that explain GNC concepts, assumptions, analysis results and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree and 3 years. The Sr. Principal level requires a bachelor's and 8 years, a master's and 6 years, or a PhD and 4 years.
• You must be a US citizen holding an active US Government Secret clearance that is current, within scope, and has an investigation date within the last 6 years, at the time you apply.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period, as the company determines based on its business needs.
• 3 years of GNC experience on cruise missiles or other complex flight systems, including building 6 DOF vehicle models and autopilot or guidance algorithms.
• Experience in C/C++ for embedded code, preferably MISRA C compliant; MATLAB/Simulink for modelling, simulation and code generation; and Python for data analysis and rapid prototyping. You must also have used Git and CI/CD pipelines.
• Preferred: an active DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Preferred: experience supporting technical GNC teams or workstreams in technology maturation, risk reduction or similar early acquisition phases.
• Preferred: experience deploying GNC algorithms to real-time embedded systems, including familiarity with real-time operating systems and their support.
• Preferred: experience with cruise missile flight dynamics, and with navigation and sensor fusion such as INS/GPS, star tracker or lidar.
• Preferred: a proven record of troubleshooting complex real-time GNC systems and explaining technical concepts and risks to non-specialists and external customers.
• Preferred: demonstrated experience integrating Simulink algorithms onto hardware using Simulink Real-Time and the Speedgoat Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing platform.
• Preferred: you work well independently, lead well, solve problems, communicate clearly, and are proactive and detail-oriented in your organisation and interpersonal skills.

Conditions

This is a full-time role with a 9/80 standard schedule: nine-hour days Monday through Thursday, and every other Friday off.

Based in Huntsville, AL. Relocation assistance may be available, and the role may include a competitive relocation package.

Travel is 10% of the time.

A Secret clearance is required at the start.

Pay ranges: Primary level $108,800.00 to $163,200.00; Secondary level $135,800.00 to $203,600.00. These are general guidelines. Final base salary depends on the scope of the role and your experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

The company is an equal-opportunity employer.

The application window is estimated at 20 days from the posting date, and may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and candidate availability.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage.
• 401(k) savings plan.
• Educational assistance and life insurance.
• Employee assistance programmes and work/life solutions.
• Paid time off and health and wellness resources.
• Employee discounts.
• Depending on the position, possible overtime, shift differential and discretionary annual bonus, plus company-paid holidays, PTO for vacation and personal business, life and disability insurance.
• Long-term incentives may be available for Vice President and Director positions.