Navigation Systems Engineer / Principal Navigation Systems Engineer
Northrop Grumman· enterprise· Defense· Oct 15, 2026 · 13d ago
United States-California-Woodland Hills
In office
Full-time
Principal
$143K–$219K est.
2+ years exp
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Emerging Capabilities Development organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered by providing an innovative technological capabilities across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector is seeking a Navigation Systems Engineer or Principal Navigation Systems Engineer to join our diverse and talented team in the design and implementation of model-based navigation software. This role will be filled at our Woodland Hills, CA site. As a Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of innovation.
What You’ll Get To Do:
· Analysis of navigation performance in laboratory and flight test scenarios
· Communication of status, issues, and results with program management and customers.
· Work in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to develop advanced navigation and timing technologies.
· Work with a team of navigation and timing experts in a team-based collaborative environment dedicated to advancing the state of the art
· Work with leading-edge navigation systems, techniques, algorithms, and software to enhance mission success.
· Present your ideas to internal and external groups and represent Northrop Grumman at technical conferences and working groups.
This requisition may be filled as a Navigation Systems Engineer or Principal Navigation Systems Engineer .
Basic Qualifications for a Navigation Systems Engineer:
· Bachelor’s Degree in STEM discipline with 2 years of Engineering experience; Masters in STEM discipline with 0 years of Engineering experience
· Experience implementing Sensor Fusion for Navigation Systems using IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), GPS, barometers, and other sensors.
· Experience implementing advanced state-estimation algorithms such as Extended Kalman Filtering, Unscented Kalman Filtering, Particle Filtering for position, velocity, and attitude determination.
· Experience with noise modeling and covariance tuning.
· Experience analyzing data from Inertial Navigation Systems.
· Hands on experience working with sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and barometers for navigation.
· Experience implementing multi-sensor synchronization and calibration.
· U.S. Citizenship is required.
· The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance is required.
· Ability to work full-time onsite in Woodland Hills, CA.
Basic Qualifications for a Principal Navigation Systems Engineer:
· Bachelor’s Degree in STEM discipline with 5 years of Engineering experience; Masters in STEM discipline with 3 years of Engineering experience; PhD in STEM discipline with 1 year of Engineering experience
· Experience implementing Sensor Fusion for Navigation Systems using IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), GPS, barometers, and other sensors.
· Experience implementing advanced state-estimation algorithms such as Extended Kalman Filtering, Unscented Kalman Filtering, Particle Filtering for position, velocity, and attitude determination.
· Experience with noise modeling and covariance tuning.
· Experience analyzing data from Inertial Navigation Systems.
· Hands on experience working with sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and barometers for navigation.
· Experience implementing multi-sensor synchronization and calibration.
· U.S. Citizenship is required.
· The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance is required.
· Ability to work full-time onsite in Woodland Hills, CA.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Experience with algorithm development for satellite acquisition, tracking, and receiver measurement formation
· Familiarity with military navigation modernization, particularly M-code signal processing and capabilities.
· Familiarity with Timing and Distributed Clock Algorithms.
· Familiarity with inertial navigation systems (INS) mechanizations.
· Combining data from IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), GPS, barometers, and other sensors
· Understanding multi-sensor synchronization and calibration.
· Familiarity with design of tracking loops, including characterization of platform dynamics, environmental/interference effects
· Understanding accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and their role in navigation.
Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit northropgrumman.com. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
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Keywords to mirror
agile
- Platform
- eightfold
- Effort
- medium
Benefits
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Health Insurance
Pto
Paid Time Off