GNC Engineer (Guidance, Navigation & Control)

About the role

As a Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer at Applied, your role is pivotal. Your work will involve developing, integrating, and testing core flight autonomy capabilities that span all classes of aerial platforms (Group 1-5). You'll work closely with teams across the entire company to integrate core GNC algorithms into their software and product stacks, supporting applications in both commercial and defense spaces. The challenge is profound, and the rewards are immeasurable, as you build superior systems that empower our military with unrivaled capabilities.

At Applied, you will:

• Write software that operates real autonomous aircraft systems including F16 fighter jets, group 1-5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as simulated models to accomplish tactical military missions

• Build, leverage, and improve aerial autonomy software architectures that are ultimately tested and deployed on real systems to accomplish military missions

• Collaborate with DoD warfighter domain experts and 3rd party UAS vehicle vendors to develop and integrate aerial autonomy software onto OEM hardware

We're looking for someone who has:

• Master's degree in Aerospace, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or similar field

• 6+ years of hands-on experience developing GNC software for autonomous systems

• Experience developing autonomy algorithms in either C++ or Python

• Experience developing or implementing outer-loop control systems or path planning algorithms

• Experience developing and simulating 3DoF or 6DoF models of air vehicles to support GNC algorithm development

• Experience with flight testing and performing data analysis

• Experience with UAS GNC/navigation systems such as PixHawk and Ardupilot

• Strong functional, procedural, data-oriented, and object-oriented programming experience

• Experience using git, Visual Studio Code, GitLab

Travel Requirements:

• Must be willing to travel as projects requires; estimated average travel is once every other month for between 2 days up to 1 week (~20%)

Security Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

• Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance

Nice to have:

• Ability to use data visualization and debugging tools to support autonomy control development

• Experience developing in Docker and containerized development environments, using Linux-based operating systems (e.g., RHEL, Ubuntu), source control systems, and artifact registries

• Understanding of key technologies: C++, Python, DevOps, Containers, Linux

• Familiarity with software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) development and testing

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.