Principal GNC Engineer

We are seeking a skilled and experienced GNC Engineer to join our advanced defense technology team. This full-time, onsite position is available in either Niceville, FL or Tucson, AZ. As a GNC Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the design and development of guidance, navigation, and control systems for cutting-edge defense applications.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop defense systems to meet performance requirements.
• Translate customer requirements into system-level and lower-level specifications.
• Perform functional analysis, trade studies, and interface definition.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system-level issues across teams.
• Execute integration, testing, verification, and validation activities.
• Support and lead technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and Stage Gate.
• Identify system risks and cost impacts.
• Ensure compliance with defense standards.
• Travel periodically to support testing and integration efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or related STEM field.
• 3 years of experience in the DoD or Aerospace industry.
• Experience in GNC disciplines such as control systems, guidance, and trajectory optimization.
• Knowledge of aerodynamic principles.
• Experience in full requirements lifecycle management.
• Experience with integration, test, verification, and validation.
• Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance.

• Experience with GPS/GNSS systems integration and navigation systems.
• Expertise in navigation systems architecture.
• Experience with antenna placement, RF systems, and receivers.
• Proficiency in MBSE tools such as SysML and Cameo.
• Configuration management experience.
• Candidates from smaller, agile companies with experience in rapid prototyping are preferred.

The work environment is casual, allowing for attire such as shorts and jeans. Work takes place at facilities located in Niceville, FL or Tucson, AZ, with periodic travel required for integration and testing efforts. The company culture is family-oriented and encourages minimal red tape, ensuring a focus on high-impact work and rapid development in a fast-paced setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tucson, AZ.

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $84.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Tucson,AZ.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $45 - $84