GNC Engineer - Cleared

Job Title:

Guidance Navigation Control Engineer Job Description

In this role, you will be responsible for the design, development, implementation, verification, and testing of high-quality software and simulation tool chains for missile flight systems. Your work will involve developing and integrating autopilot and guidance algorithms directly into missile flight code while collaborating closely with software and hardware teams.

• Design, develop, implement, verify, and test high-quality software and simulation tool chains for missile flight systems.
• Develop and integrate autopilot and guidance algorithms into missile flight code.
• Collaborate with software and hardware teams to incorporate algorithms into the vehicle’s flight software.
• Utilize trajectory‑optimization tools to generate, interpret, and analyze vehicle trajectory results.
• Modify or create new scripts in Python, MATLAB, and other languages to capture customer requirements and measure vehicle performance.
• Build, validate, and maintain modeling and simulation frameworks for aerospace vehicles and components.
• Enhance simulation fidelity by integrating advanced modeling techniques to support system analysis.
• Conduct rigorous testing and evaluation of simulation models, identifying and resolving discrepancies between simulated and real‑world performance metrics.
• Gather, post‑process, and analyze large, complex data sets to verify and validate performance results.
• Ensure that simulation outcomes match intended performance metrics and system specifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• At least 3 years of GNC experience in missiles for rockets.
• Professional experience developing autopilot algorithms, including seeker and tracking for discrimination for IR seekers.
• Experience with vehicle dynamics, modeling vehicle dynamics, and simulating it.
• Working knowledge of 6
  
  DOF – degrees of freedom, written in C++.

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience, Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience, or PhD with 1 year of professional experience.
• An additional 4+ years of experience can be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Requires an active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at the time of application.
• Experience with GNC algorithms for hypersonic missiles is a plus.
• Familiarity with IR discrimination and tracking.
• Ability to create CI/CD Pipelines and automate simulation runs and post‑processing.
• Experience running 6
  
  DOF/3
  
  DOF simulations on HPC clusters.
• Familiarity with state estimation and state propagation techniques.

The work environment is flexible, providing a fully adaptable schedule. Employees have the opportunity to work on revolutionary systems that impact lives globally. The culture fosters intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and encourages bringing your whole self to work. There is a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation, aiming to achieve what others deem impossible.

This is a Contract position based out of Chandler, AZ.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $55.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Chandler, AZ.

This position is anticipated to close on Jan 23, 2026.

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccom for other accommodation options.