Job Title: Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer
Job Description
This full-time, onsite Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer role supports the design, development, integration, and testing of advanced defense systems in Tucson, AZ. You will work on guidance, navigation, and control systems for aircraft and munitions, contribute to resilient systems engineering, and support flight software, simulations, and system-level testing. The position offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, agile environment with a strong people-first culture and long-term stability.
Responsibilities
Design and develop guidance, navigation, and control solutions for advanced defense systems that meet performance and mission requirements.
Translate customer and mission requirements into system-level and lower-level specifications for GNC and related subsystems.
Perform functional analysis, trade studies, and interface definition to optimize system performance and ensure robust integration.
Conduct system-level troubleshooting to identify, analyze, and resolve technical issues in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Plan and execute integration, testing, verification, and validation activities in laboratory and range environments.
Support and lead formal technical reviews, including System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), and Stage Gate reviews.
Identify, assess, and communicate system risks, technical impacts, and cost implications to stakeholders.
Ensure designs and implementations comply with applicable defense and industry standards.
Develop and maintain system documentation, including requirements, interface control documents, and test procedures.
Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure cohesive system integration.
Support GPS/GNSS integration and navigation system architecture activities, including antenna and RF considerations.
Utilize Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and SysML for system modeling, requirements management, and architecture definition.
Apply configuration management practices to maintain control of system baselines and design changes.
Travel periodically to test sites and partner locations to support integration, testing, and validation efforts.
Contribute to rapid development and prototyping efforts in a fast-paced environment, providing technical input and feedback throughout the lifecycle.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM field.
3+ years of experience in the Department of Defense (DoD) or Aerospace industry for junior-level roles; 10+ years of experience for senior-level roles.
Hands-on experience in GNC disciplines, including feedback control systems, guidance, trajectory optimization, and state estimation.
Knowledge of aerodynamic principles and aerodynamics fundamentals relevant to aircraft and munitions.
Experience with the full requirements lifecycle, including requirements definition, decomposition, traceability, and verification.
Demonstrated experience in system integration, test, verification, and validation in lab and/or range environments.
Proficiency in systems engineering practices, including functional analysis, trade studies, and interface definition.
Experience with GPS/GNSS integration and navigation systems, including GPS/GNSS-based navigation solutions.
Expertise in navigation systems architecture and related system-level design considerations.
Experience with MBSE tools and SysML for system modeling and architecture development.
Familiarity with configuration management processes and tools to control system baselines and changes.
Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including electrical, mechanical, software, and manufacturing disciplines.
Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Ability to obtain a security clearance, as required for work on defense programs.
Ability to work full-time onsite during core hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in real-time system validation in laboratory and range environments.
Background in GPS/GNSS systems integration, including receivers and associated navigation algorithms.
Experience with antenna placement, RF systems, and RF receivers as they relate to navigation and GNC systems.
Hands-on experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools such as Cameo or similar platforms.
Experience in rapid development and prototyping within fast-paced, agile organizations.
Familiarity with resilient systems engineering for real-world defense applications.
Experience with flight software, simulations, and custom tools used for system-level testing.
Experience with weapon system integration, testing, and control system design.
Background in smaller, agile companies with rapid prototyping and minimal bureaucracy is highly valued.
Open to contract-to-hire or direct hire arrangements, depending on candidate preference.
Work Environment
This role is based onsite in Tucson, AZ at a modern defense engineering facility. The culture emphasizes innovation, agility, and a people-first mindset, with a track record of long-term stability and no history of layoffs. Engineers work closely with cross-functional teams on high-impact, fast-moving defense projects involving advanced GNC systems, flight software, simulations, and weapon system integration. The environment supports rapid development and prototyping, with minimal red tape and a strong focus on collaboration and technical excellence. Core working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with additional flexibility as needed to support project demands. The dress code is very casual, allowing attire such as shorts and jeans. Periodic travel is required to support integration and testing at laboratory and range facilities, where you will work with real-time systems, test equipment, and operational platforms in field conditions.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Tucson, AZ.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $76.92/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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Tucson,AZ.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 6, 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.
