GNC Engineer (Guidance, Navigation & Control)
Applied Intuition· Robotics/Autonomous Systems· Sep 29, 2026 · 28d ago
Washington, D.C. / Fort Walton Beach, FL / Ann Arbor
In office
Full-time
Senior
$150K–$185K
6+ years exp
Job description
Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co applied.co.
We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions
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.
Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.
FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact careers@applied.co. We will work with you!
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