Guidance, Navigation, Controls Engineer

TSC

GNC Engineer designing, integrating, and testing flight control systems for unmanned aerial systems. Collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to support software development and validation processes.

Posted 7/10/2026full-timeCrystal City • Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

LinuxPython

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

design, integrate, test, and deliver flight control systems or mission-critical onboard software for unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
Work on a team to develop, modify and tune guidance and control systems for fixed wing aircraft
Work on a team to develop, modify and tune navigation systems based on sensor fusion of 6-DOF IMU, magnetometer, GNSS, pressure and ranging sensors
Work on a team to develop and modify 6-DOF and Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation environments
Simulation, analysis, control, and testing on 6 degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) motion platform for development and validation of autonomous UAS
Aid development for unmanned aerospace includes guidance, navigation & control, mission sequencing, payload control, redundancy and contingency management, uplink and downlink packet encoding and decoding, converting between different serial protocols, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, ground-based GUIs, and aircraft subsystem control (i.e., payload, electrical systems)
Embedded Software development (C/C++, Python, shell scripts)
Writing/modifying software to adjust flight behaviors
Use development tools such as: JIRA, git, C/C++, CMake, Linux, MATLAB
Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary software team on large, multi-language projects
Participating in code reviews, Flight Testing, and Customer Presentations
Bench test, Hardware-in-the-loop, and field testing of UAS platforms
Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (Systems, Software, Mechanical, Electrical) in planning, design and development of systems to ensure software and hardware performance and compatibility
Design software architecture, interfaces, and gateways for communication with external Autonomy software services
Implement functionality using a model-based approach
Software verification and validation including writing Test Cases and Test Procedures
Develop, implement, and document data and software application test plans to validate project deliverables meet quality standards

Requirements

What you’ll need

BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Aerospace, Controls engineering or other relevant discipline, plus at minimum 5 years of experience in a professional environment developing MATLAB / Simulink control systems with auto code experience; or MS in Controls or Aerospace Engineering plus 2 years’ experience
Embedded code experience preferred
US Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
Experience in developing physics based 6 DOF simulations, motion platforms
Experience developing with: Gazebo or similar simulation tools, MatlabMATLAB/Simulink, C, C++, Python
Experience developing scripts to run batch processes
Experience in data post processing from simulation or flight testing, report summary writing
Experience developing guidance and autonomy algorithms required; in denied environments preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

TSC offers a stable work environment
competitive salary
comprehensive benefit package
ESOP participation
401k Plan
Flexible Work Schedules
Tuition Reimbursement
Co-Sponsored Health Plan
Paid Leave

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

C/C++ ProgrammingPython ProgrammingSimulation DevelopmentTest Case WritingData Post ProcessingBatch Process ScriptingHardware-In-The-Loop SimulationFlight TestingModel-Based DesignSensor Fusion

Soft Skills

CollaborationCommunicationProblem SolvingTeamworkCustomer Presentation

Certifications

BS Degree In EngineeringMS Degree In Controls Or Aerospace EngineeringDoD Security Clearance