Sr Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer
Sierra Nevada Corporation · Lone Tree, CO
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $143k–$197k
- Travel
- 10%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Sierra Nevada Corporation (aerospace & defense) in Lone Tree, CO. Navigation and Control (GN&C) Engineer, you will serve as a technical authority in the design, development, and testing of cutting-edge GN&C systems.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Base pay
- $143k–$197k
- Day to day
- about 10% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Sierra Nevada Corporation
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
About the role
requirements
and designs to consistently exceed expectations – with an unrivaled record of on time and on (or under) budget deliveries.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- ✓Typically 10+ years of relevant GN&C, flight controls, simulation, or aerospace engineering experience. Higher‑level degrees may substitute for experience.
- ✓Deep understanding of engineering fundamentals, vehicle dynamics, stability, and control systems.
- ✓Advanced experience with Computer‑Aided Engineering tools, analysis, and simulation environments.
- ✓Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink for model development, control law design, and simulation analysis.
- ✓Experience working within multi‑disciplinary design and development teams .
- ✓Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance .
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
- ✓Experience with system modeling tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, STK, or FreeFlyer.
- ✓Background designing flight control laws for unmanned or optionally piloted aircraft systems.
- ✓Knowledge of MIL‑STD‑1797B (Flying Qualities of Piloted Aircraft).
- ✓Experience performing HIL testing of integrated flight control systems.
- ✓Prior support of aircraft flight testing or vehicle performance evaluations.
- ✓Experience with aerospace vehicles, sensor suites, actuation systems, and mission‑level GN&C.
- ✓Familiarity with model‑based definition, parametric design, and orbital or flight mechanics.
- ✓Demonstrated success leading baseline definition, integrated trade studies, and maturation of complex systems.
- ✓Professional background in the Aerospace & Defense industry .
Essential Functions
- ◆Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
- ◆Ability to travel up to 10% .
- ◆Work in an office or hybrid environment depending on program needs.
SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.
SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more .
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Do you have an eye for detail and a passion for developing innovation solutions? Join our team! As a Senior Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) Engineer, you will serve as a technical authority in the design, development, and testing of cutting-edge GN&C systems. You will oversee multiple projects, drive innovation, and mentor engineering teams to ensure the success of aerospace systems.
The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation, it is a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator for innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation systems. Its end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities encompass design, integration, test, certification, ground/flight training and complete logistics support. IAS tailors solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule
What You’ll Be Doing
- •Provide technical leadership for the design, development, and integration of GN&C algorithms and flight control software.
- •Develop Simulink models to support flight controls development, vehicle dynamics, and linear/non‑linear simulation analysis.
- •Lead and coordinate multi‑disciplinary engineering teams throughout the lifecycle of air vehicle development.
- •Architect inner‑ and outer‑loop control laws and create advanced control algorithms for both crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
- •Oversee end‑to‑end simulation campaigns, validation testing, and Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL) test activities.
- •Serve as a subject matter expert in design reviews, program milestones, and technical discussions with leadership and customers.
- •Develop and implement GN&C best practices, standards, and processes across the engineering organization.
- •Generate clear, comprehensive reports documenting simulation results, test outcomes, trade studies, and alternatives analyses.
- •Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and industry partners to drive collaboration and technical excellence.
- •Identify opportunities for innovation, optimization, and continuous improvement across algorithms, models, and workflows.
Must‑Have
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- •3 weeks paid time off, flex‑time options, and development opportunities
- •Leadership training, mentorship programs, and education reimbursement
- •Exclusive company events and a supportive team culture
- •Modern, collaborative campus environments (location specific)
- •On‑site fitness centers
- •State‑of‑the‑art coffee bars
- •Full‑service cafeterias with planned breakfast and lunch
- •Access to scenic walking and biking trails
Important notice
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited