Staff Engineer – Guidance Navigation Controls

Northrop Grumman

. Support research and development of flight control algorithms for manned and unmanned air vehicles .

Posted 10/15/2026full-timeUnited StatesLead💰 $152,900 - $265,600 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and analyzing flight control algorithms for manned and unmanned air vehicles, with proficiency in MATLAB and Simulink for modeling and simulation. Capable of designing control laws and performing flight dynamics analysis while ensuring compliance with relevant standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Flight Control Algorithm DevelopmentMATLAB ProficiencySimulink ModelingFixed-Wing Aircraft Flight DynamicsAutopilot Function Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Control Law DesignNon-Linear Simulation AnalysisDynamic System ModelingAutonomy Algorithm DevelopmentC/C++ ProgrammingPython ProgrammingLua Script ProgrammingPerformance AnalysisSimulation Tool DevelopmentFeedback Control System Design

Soft Skills

Collaborative WorkFast-Paced Environment Adaptability

Tools & Technologies

Simulink Stateflow ModelingHardware-in-the-Loop SimulationSoftware-in-the-Loop Simulation

Certifications & Qualifications

US Government Secret Security ClearanceSpecial Program Access (SAP)

Industry Keywords

MIL-STD-1797 Flying Qualities RequirementsFlight Test Data AnalysisDesign ReviewsOuter/Inner Loop Control LawsAutonomous Aircraft Logic

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

LuaPythonC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support research and development of flight control algorithms for manned and unmanned air vehicles
Design, develop, implement, verify, and test guidance, navigation, and control algorithms, software, and simulation tools for autonomous unmanned aircraft
Develop control laws to meet air vehicle performance, flying qualities, and stability margin requirements on ground and in flight
Design outer and inner loop control laws and associated logic and autonomy functions
Develop air vehicle system linear and non-linear dynamic simulation models
Integrate models into software- and hardware-in-the-loop simulation environments
Perform performance and flying qualities analysis
Support non-linear simulation and hardware-in-the-loop lab testing
Support flight test activities and analyze air vehicle flight test data
Develop analysis to support design reviews including PDR and CDR
Work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment across organizational levels

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 12 years of related engineering experience; OR Master’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 10 years of related engineering experience; OR PhD in a relevant STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience
Experience with fixed-wing aircraft flight dynamics
Experience using linear control principles and tools to design feedback control systems
Experience analyzing non-linear simulations of aircraft closed-loop dynamics
Experience with autopilot functions
Experience with outer/inner loop control law performance requirements
Experience using MATLAB to create, process, analyze, and visually represent data
Experience using Simulink to model dynamic systems
Experience with logic, modes, and states for autonomous aircraft
Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time
Ability to obtain a US Government Secret security clearance or higher and Special Program Access (SAP)
Current, active in-scope US Government Secret security clearance or higher, with ability to obtain SAP (preferred)
Experience designing control laws for fixed-wing aircraft and performing handling qualities analysis (preferred)
Working knowledge of MIL-STD-1797 flying qualities requirements (preferred)
Experience with autonomy algorithms for driving control laws (preferred)
Experience using Simulink Stateflow Modeling (preferred)
Experience autocoding Simulink models (preferred)
Experience with Python programming (preferred)
Experience with C/C++ programming (preferred)
Experience with Lua Script programming (preferred)
U.S. Citizenship is required for positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation assistance may be available
Overtime eligibility may apply
Shift differential may apply
Discretionary bonus
Health insurance coverage
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Savings plan
Company-paid holidays
Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business