Navigation Engineer

Description:

Location: Lenexa, KS (Onsite)

As a Navigation Engineer, you'll develop advanced navigation and state estimation solutions that enable autonomous systems to operate in complex, mission-critical environments. You'll play a key role in advancing resilient autonomy by designing navigation technologies that perform reliably in GPS-denied, contested, and dynamic operating conditions while collaborating across autonomy, perception, controls, and systems engineering teams.

GuideTech is a subsidiary of Palladyne AI (NASDAQ: PDYN), a U.S.-based defense and industrial technology company that delivers embodied AI-powered collaborative autonomy solutions, advanced avionics, precision-manufactured components, UAVs, and advanced aerospace design services.

At GuideTech, you'll contribute to technologies that support a diverse range of aerospace and defense platforms, including unmanned aircraft, launch vehicles, spacecraft, missiles, and other autonomous systems. Your work will directly influence the performance of mission-critical autonomy systems operating in challenging real-world environments.

You'll thrive in this role if you're energized by solving complex estimation and navigation challenges, enjoy collaborating across engineering disciplines, and are motivated by building robust technologies that enable intelligent autonomous systems.

What You'll Do

• Design, implement, and optimize navigation and state estimation algorithms, including Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, SLAM, and related techniques.
• Develop and integrate multi-sensor navigation systems using GNSS, INS, IMUs, vision, LiDAR, RF, and other sensing technologies.
• Lead system-level architecture for navigation, localization, and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions.
• Develop robust navigation capabilities for GPS-denied, degraded, and contested environments.
• Collaborate with autonomy, controls, perception, and systems engineering teams to optimize end-to-end system performance.
• Conduct simulation, modeling, and real-world testing to validate navigation performance.
• Analyze system performance, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvements.
• Contribute to requirements development, interface definition, and system verification activities.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance.
• Support field testing and deployment of autonomous systems.

What Makes Someone Successful Here

• You enjoy solving complex estimation, localization, and navigation challenges.
• You communicate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• You balance analytical thinking with practical engineering judgment.
• You take ownership of technical decisions and deliver high-quality results.
• You are curious, adaptable, and motivated to continuously learn.
• You collaborate openly and value diverse perspectives.
• You are driven by developing technologies that support critical aerospace and defense missions.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Navigation, estimation, and sensor fusion.
• Linear algebra, probability, and optimization.
• Kalman filters (EKF/UKF), factor graphs, or similar estimation techniques.
• GNSS, INS, and IMU integration.
• C++, Python, or similar programming languages.
• Developing and testing real-world navigation systems.
• Experience developing autonomous systems, including UAVs, robotics, or defense platforms.
• Knowledge of vision-based navigation, SLAM, or LiDAR-based localization.
• Experience developing solutions for denied, disrupted, or intermittent (DDIL) environments.
• Familiarity with embedded or real-time systems.
• Experience with simulation tools such as MATLAB, ROS, Gazebo, or similar environments.
• Prior experience supporting flight systems, aerospace, or defense platforms.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive salary
• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Professional development opportunities

Work Authorization & Clearance

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Company does may not provide visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future. Depending on the nature of the work, the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance may be required. Candidates may be asked to provide additional information relevant to clearance eligibility in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Fine Print

No third-party candidates will be accepted. GuideTech is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.