Overview
Bowhead seeks a GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Aerospace Engineer to support hypersonic research efforts of the NSWCDD in Dahlgren, VA. This role provides technical expertise across system modeling, simulation, algorithm development, data analysis, and integration activities in support of weapon system development, performance assessment, and mission engineering. The Engineer will directly support government technical leads and collaborate with associated subsystem SMEs to deliver analytical rigor, modeling capability, and engineering insight into guidance, navigation, and control solutions used in government test and evaluation environments.
Responsibilities
Develop, implement, and refine GNC algorithms for guidance laws, control loops, navigation filters, and state estimation.
Support weapon system modeling and simulation, including 6 DOF (six degrees of freedom) simulation environments and subsystem integration.
Perform trajectory analysis, mission performance evaluations, and control system stability assessments.
Develop navigation solutions integrating IMUs, GPS, INS, seekers, and other sensor modalities.
Conduct Monte Carlo analysis, uncertainty modeling, and system performance sensitivity studies.
Implement GNC proto@types in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or equivalent simulation frameworks.
Analyze telemetry, flight test data, and HWIL/SIL outputs to validate system performance.
Support requirements decomposition, interface definition, and subsystem integration with E20 system engineering teams.
Document models, test results, algorithm behavior, and performance in technical reports and presentations.
Participate in technical reviews, design sessions, and engineering working groups with government and contractor personnel.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline or a Master's degree (preferred) with coursework such as Modern Control Systems, Modern (or Optimal) Control Theory, MIMO Control, Linear Systems Theory, Robotics, [Optimal] State Estimation, or courses with Sensing, Navigation, Localization, or Mapping in the name.
4+ years experience in GNC engineering, missile guidance, flight controls, or related system modeling.
Expertise in state estimation (e.g. Kalman filters for tracking or inertial navigation) with the ability to evaluate real multi-source measurement datasets processed with legacy or novel candidate-developed state estimation algorithms in MATLAB and C++ and translate the evaluations into reports and briefing material.
Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and at least one programming language (Python or C/C++).
The successful candidate shall have experience with guidance algorithms (proportional navigation, pursuit guidance, optimal guidance, intercept geometry), navigation & estimation, Kalman filtering (EKF/UKF), inertial navigation, GPS/INS integration, sensor fusion, control engineering, PID, LQR, state space control, autopilot design, stability & robustness analysis, M&S (Modeling & Simulation), MATLAB/Simulink, Python (NumPy/SciPy), C/C++ for embedded or real time simulation, and familiarity with 6 DOF modeling.- Ability to work with E20 technical SMEs to develop or refine analytical tools, performance models, or algorithmic improvements.
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance (current Secret preferred).
Preferred Qualifications
A background in aerospace vehicles.
Familiarity with hardware in the loop (HWIL) or software in the loop (SIL) environments is a plus.
Experience supporting missile systems, unmanned systems, or weapons/flight dynamics programs.
Experience supporting NSWCDD, NAVSEA, or other DoD weapons engineering divisions.
Experience with aerospace flight test data analysis or guidance law verification.
Knowledge of seeker modeling, sensor suite integration, or autopilot tuning.
SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED: Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Secret level. US Citizenship is a requirement for Secret clearance at this location.
Physical Demands:
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds
Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time
Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically
Targeted salary range is $140,000 to $145,000 annually based on qualifications and experience.
Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Bowhead considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and business considerations when extending an offer.
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Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug & alcohol screening and/or random drug screen, and must follow UIC's Non-DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Program requirements. If the position requires, an applicant must pass a pre-employment criminal background history check. All post-secondary education listed on the applicant's resume/application may be subject to verification.
Where driving may be required or where a rental car must be obtained for business travel purposes, applicants must have a valid driver license for this position and will be subject to verification. In addition, the applicant must pass an in-house, online, driving course to be authorized to drive for company purposes.
UIC is an equal opportunity employer. Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status EOE/D/V. Pursuant to The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and subject to other state and federal requirements, UIC and its subsidiaries may legally grant certain preference in employment opportunities to UIC Shareholders and their Descendants. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity posters here .
All candidates must apply online at www.uicalaska.com , and submit a completed application for all positions they wish to be considered. Once the employment application has been completed and submitted, any changes to the application after submission may not be reviewed. Please contact a UIC HR Recruiter if you have made a significant change to your application. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), persons unable to complete an online application should contact UIC Human Resources for assistance www.uicalaska.com/careers/recruitment/ .
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
UIC Government Services (UICGS / Bowhead) provides innovative business solutions to federal and commercial customers in the areas of engineering, maintenance services, information technology, program support, logistics/base support, and procurement. Collectively, the fast-growing Bowhead Family of Companies offers a breadth of services which are performed with a focus on quality results. Headquartered in Springfield, VA, we are a fast-growing, multi-million-dollar company recognized as a top Alaska Native Corporation providing services across the Department of Defense and many federal agencies. Bowhead offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, short/long-term disability, and 401(k) retirement plans as well as a paid time off programs for eligible full-time employees. Eligible part-time employees are able to participate in the 401(k) retirement plans and state or contract required paid time off programs.
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ID 2026-26010
Category Engineering
Location : Location US-VA-Dahlgren
Min USD $100,000.00/Yr.
Max USD $145,000.00/Yr.
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain Secret
Minimum Clearance Required N/A
Travel Requirement Less than 10%
