Northrop Grumman
Principal or Sr. Principal Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer
Be an Early Applicant
Design, develop, verify, and test guidance, navigation, and control algorithms, software, simulations, and control laws for air vehicles. Develop linear and nonlinear dynamic models, integrate hardware- and software-in-the-loop simulations, conduct control-system trade studies, support design reviews, analyze flight-test data, and assist with flight-test activities. The role is fully onsite and requires a Secret clearance and eligibility for Special Program Access.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal or Sr. Principal Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer to join our Advanced GNC team in Rancho Bernardo, CA or El Segundo, CA.
Essential Functions:
- Design, develop, implement, verify and test algorithms, software and simulation tools to perform guidance, navigation and control (GNC).
- Develop control laws to meet air vehicle performance, flying qualities and stability margin requirements, both on ground and in flight.
- Develop air vehicle system linear and non-linear dynamic simulation models and integrate models into software and hardware-in-the-loop simulation environments.
- Develop modern control laws, conduct trade studies on unconventional control effectors.
- Work on unusually complex design technical problems and drive innovative solutions.
- Develop analysis to support design reviews at different stages in a development program, such as PDR, CDR, etc.
- Analyze air vehicle flight test data and support flight test activities.
This position requires 100% on-site work. Telework/hybrid schedule is not allowed. The anticipated travel for this role is approximately 20% - 25%.
This position may be filled at either the Principal GNC Engineer level or the Senior Principal GNC level, depending upon the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for Principal GNC Engineer:
- Bachelor's Degree in a related Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline with 5 years of relevant experience; OR a Master's Degree in a related STEM discipline with 3 years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in related STEM discipline with 1 year of relevant experience.
- Must have experience on a team of GNC engineers.
- Must be proficient in and have experience with Matlab, Simulink, and autocoding Simulink models.
- Active US Government Secret clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).
Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal GNC Engineer:
- Bachelor's Degree in a related Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline with 8 years of relevant experience; OR a Master's Degree in a related STEM discipline with 6 years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in related STEM discipline with 4 years of relevant experience.
- Must have experience on a team of GNC engineers.
- Must be proficient in and have experience with Matlab, Simulink, and autocoding Simulink models.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret (or Top Secret, depending upon program need) clearance prior to commencement of employment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
- Active US Government Secret or Top Secret clearance (highly preferred)
- Special Program Access
- Experience with NGAS Common Products Core VMS GNC modelling
- Knowledge of C/C++, Java, Python
- Knowledgeable in the area of flight sciences, control law development, and control system analysis.
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Healthtech • Machine Learning • Natural Language Processing • Biotech • Pharmaceutical
Leads early formulation science and oral drug delivery research for small-molecule medicines. Applies modeling, solid-form characterization, dissolution, biopharmaceutics, and transport principles to guide compound and formulation development. Directs matrix teams, scientific strategy, external collaborations, and portfolio initiatives while mentoring scientists and presenting research findings.
Top Skills:
Biophysical ModelingDissolution TestingDrug Delivery SystemsIn Vitro Transport AssaysPharmacokinetic ModelingPhysicochemical Modeling
Cloud • Computer Vision • Information Technology • Sales • Security • Cybersecurity
Provides customer-facing cybersecurity consulting focused on threat emulation, exposure management, red teaming, vulnerability management, penetration testing, and technical risk mitigation. Uses SafeMind, Falcon, and AI-enabled capabilities to evaluate exposures, refine risk outputs, advise technical and executive audiences, improve service delivery, and mentor junior consultants. Requires advanced security assessment, infrastructure, networking, operating system, automation, and scripting expertise, with occasional travel.
Top Skills:
Agentic AiBurp SuiteCobalt StrikeFalconFirewallsGenerative AiLinuxLoad BalancersmacOSMail ServersMetasploitNessusNmapProxiesRoutersSafemindSwitchesUnixWeb ServersWindowsWireless Access Points
Cloud • Computer Vision • Information Technology • Sales • Security • Cybersecurity
Serves as an embedded technical advisor to government customers, implementing, configuring, troubleshooting, and optimizing CrowdStrike Falcon environments in FedRAMP and DoD-accredited environments. Responsibilities include threat-hunting mentorship, incident-management guidance, security-tool integrations, scripting with Falcon APIs, vulnerability and asset-management support, project coordination, technical reporting, and customer training. Requires strong cybersecurity and consulting experience, government-clearance eligibility, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and up to 20% travel.
Top Skills:
AcasActive DirectoryAWSAws GovcloudAzure AdAzure GovernmentBashBatchChefCitrixCrowdstrike FalconEmassFalcon ApisFedrampGoogle Assured WorkloadsGoogle Cloud PlatformGroup PolicyIbm BigfixLinuxLogscalemacOSMcafee EpoAzureMssqlNessusNist Sp 800-37PdqPowershellPsexecPuppetPythonRmfScapSccmSIEMSplunkSsoStig ViewerWindowsXacta
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine


