Advanced Programs - Staff Systems Engineer (gn&c) - 18346

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Huntsville, AL +2 · Systems/Architecture/Test

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Technical Lead for their Hypersonic Testbed Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Team. The role involves directing the technical development of hypersonic navigation algorithms, designing and implementing strap-down inertial navigation systems integrated with GPS and Kalman-filter techniques, enhancing navigation analysis tools, and conducting covariance analysis. Responsibilities include developing and analyzing GNC algorithms, integrating vehicle navigation algorithms into 6DOF simulations, modeling missile components, and using C++ and MATLAB. A Secret clearance is required.

What you'd actually do

  1. Directing the technical development of hypersonic navigation algorithms that provide precision navigation at high Mach numbers in both exo‑atmospheric and endo‑atmospheric flight.
  2. Designing and implementing strap‑down inertial navigation systems integrated with GPS and Kalman‑filter techniques, enhancing existing navigation analysis tools with custom features for emerging missions, and conducting covariance analysis alongside circular‑error‑probable (CEP) accuracy assessments.
  3. Develop and analyze GNC algorithms (Guidance, Navigation, Autopilot).
  4. Develop and integrate vehicle navigation algorithms into 6 degree of freedom (6dof) simulations.
  5. Model missile components such has inertial measurement units (IMU) and thrust vector control (TVC) systems.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelors degree or equivalent experience
  • US Citizen with active DoD Secret Clearance
  • 6 years demonstrated experience in guidance, navigation, or control algorithm development and/or analysis
  • 6 years demonstrated experience coding in C, C++, MATLAB/Simulink
  • 4 years experience with full software lifecycle: specification, design, implementation, integration, debug and maintenance
  • 6 years experience in developing GNC algorithms (Guidance, Navigation, Autopilot)
  • 6 years experience with Agile Development with DoDAF standards and methods

Nice to have

  • Substantial experience in inertial navigation design for Hypersonic applications
  • PhD or Masters advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering or applicable technical discipline
  • Experience developing a strapdown inertial navigation system
  • Experience developing GPS aided GNC systems
  • Experience in covariance and CEP analysis
  • Experience with a software version control system, such as Git, Gitlabs, and/or Bitbucket
  • Extensive experience with MATLAB/Simulink
  • Experience with Object-Oriented Programming
  • Proficiency in technical writing and documentation
  • Knowledge of estimation and control theory, such as Kalman filtering
  • Experience with linear stability analysis to determine control system stability margins
  • Experience modeling navigation sensors, such as IMU or GPS
  • Active DoD Top Secret clearance
  • Experience in algorithmic application development, integration, and optimization
  • Experience with the Atlassian tool set, Agile Development, Model Based Engineering, and Software Development best practices
  • Experience with DO-178C Flight Critical Systems Safety programming
  • Experience with certification, airworthiness, testing, and qualification of flight and safety critical systems

What the JD emphasized

  • active DoD Secret Clearance
  • guidance, navigation, or control algorithm development
  • GNC algorithms (Guidance, Navigation, Autopilot)