Principal GNC Engineer

Worker Type Regular Job Description Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer: The GNC Principal Engineer is the overall technical authority for the Kinetic Air and Missile Defense Division. The GNC PE is responsible for supporting the development, integration, and testing of software and systems used in guidance, navigation, and control. The role involves working in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment to solve complex engineering problems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in GNC algorithm development, software integration, and testing, along with hands-on experience in missile systems. The Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer works with our Design team to develop a variety of innovative Defense/Missile Systems for defense and commercial applications. This position will interact with Controls Engineers to allocate requirements and develop architectures to drive simulation models. These development efforts will generally be small focused design teams, which will require engineers to use a range of skills and tools across traditional engineering, computer science, and mathematical disciplines. Because of the nature of the development efforts, the engineer will need to work on a variety of stages of development including requirements definition, concept design, prototyping, detailed design, validation and verification testing. You will also need to be comfortable with supporting missile tests at remote sites, engaging in various testing and simulation activities to validate and enhance system performance. Position Responsibilities u00b7 Personifies the AV pillar of u201cInnovationu201d. u00b7 Develop and implement GNC algorithms for missile systems. u00b7 Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams on software development and integration efforts. u00b7 Execute testing, data collection, and analysis, including hardware-in-the-loop and multi-functional testing. u00b7 Work on 6DoF (Six Degrees of Freedom) modeling and simulations for performance validation. u00b7 Assist in the development and execution of test plans and reports, presenting data to both large and small audiences. u00b7 Ensure the application of best practices and standards in system design and testing. u00b7 Supports the development of plans for product IRAD and sustaining projects through proper work decomposition and skills assignment to project work tasks u00b7 Develops and mentors high-performing engineering teams u00b7 Partners with functional leaders to drive process improvements throughout the engineering development processes u00b7 Other duties as assigned Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience) u00b7 Master Degree or PhD in a Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering discipline (or equivalent). u00b7 Experience with Defense products and customers, especially in C-UAS products u00b7 Minimum of 15 years of demonstrated experience in GNC engineering, specifically in missile or aerospace systems u00b7 Expertise in GNC algorithm development, including guidance, navigation, and autopilot algorithms u00b7 Experience in an Agile and Waterfall development environment u00b7 Excellent verbal, presentation, and written communication skills u00b7 Experience project planning in terms of schedule, budget, and resource estimations u00b7 Exceptional leadership and management skills, with the ability to develop and communicate a vision that inspires and motivates staff and aligns with the business strategy u00b7 Ability to build strong relationships within all disciplines within organization u00b7 Effective influencing and negotiation skills in an environment in which resources may not be under your direct control u00b7 Experienced and proficient with MS Office applications and other office productivity tools Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies u00b7 Follows standard practices and procedures when analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained. Completes assigned tasks within schedule and budget u00b7 Shares ideas and experiences with others, solicits feedback and asks relevant questions u00b7 Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties u00b7 Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives u00b7 Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products u00b7 Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company u00b7 Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills u00b7 Team Player - Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests u00b7 Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees Physical Demands u00b7 Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment u00b7 Required to sit and stand for long periods (Frequent) u00b7 Required to talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent) u00b7 Travel required to domestic US sites - up to 10% Special Requirements u00b7 U.S. Citizenship required u00b7 Existing DoD Secret security clearance required u00b7 Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S. u00b7 Location: Huntsville, AL; potential for remote in Tuscon, AZ Clearance Level Secret The salary range for this role is: $154,500 - $227,325 AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidateu2019s work experience, education/training, and key skills. ITAR Requirement: _T_ _his position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (u201cITARu201d) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (u201cEARu201d). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironmentu2019s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironmentu2019s business requirements. A u201cU.S. personu201d according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR u00a7 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements._ Benefits : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: . We also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us. Principals only need apply. NO agencies please. Who We Are Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, weu2019ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the worldu2019s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institutionu2019s permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty u2013 and succeed. What We Do Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the companyu2019s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. _We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status._ ITAR U.S. Citizenship is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired. About AV: AV isnu2019t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We donu2019t just build defense technologyu2014we redefine whatu2019s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonianu2014but weu2019re not building history, weu2019re building whatu2019s next. If you're ready to build technology that mattersu2014with speed, scale, and purposeu2014thereu2019s no better place to do it than AV. Careers at AeroVironment (

Created: 2026-02-23