Principal GNC Engineer

Avav is seeking a Principal GNC Engineer to join our team at 410 Jan Davis Drive NorthWest, Huntsville, AL. This is a full-time position for an experienced aerospace professional ready to lead guidance, navigation, and control system development and innovation.

Position Summary

As Principal GNC Engineer, you will own the technical direction of guidance, navigation, and control systems that power advanced aerospace platforms. Your expertise and leadership will shape system architecture, drive performance optimization, and mentor engineering teams through complex development cycles. This role places you at the forefront of mission-critical systems where precision, reliability, and innovation directly impact program success.

Your Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate GNC algorithms and system architectures for aerospace applications
• Lead the technical strategy and roadmap for guidance and control system improvements
• Conduct rigorous analysis, modeling, and simulation to validate system performance and safety
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including avionics, propulsion, and test engineering
• Mentor and guide junior engineers; establish best practices for GNC development workflows
• Participate in design reviews, system integration, and flight testing activities
• Ensure systems meet regulatory, certification, and mission-critical requirements

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline; advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of professional experience in guidance, navigation, or control systems engineering
• Demonstrated expertise in flight control, autopilot, or autonomous vehicle systems
• Strong background in control theory, linear algebra, and dynamic systems analysis
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent modeling and simulation tools
• Familiarity with aerospace standards (DO-178C, MIL-HDBK-516, or equivalent)
• Proven leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence across teams

Working at Avav

Avav is committed to advancing aerospace technology through innovative engineering and collaborative teamwork. As a Principal Engineer, you'll work alongside talented professionals tackling real-world challenges in guidance and control systems, with opportunities to grow your technical expertise and leadership impact in a dynamic environment.

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