Guidance, Navigation, and Control Architecture Development Lead

Amentum is a leading provider of engineering, scientific, and program management support services to some of the top agencies in the U.S. government, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the intelligence community.

The mission of DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office (TTO) is to reimagine every aspect of military hardware design, development, test, manufacture, and sustainment – with a focus on rapid, affordable, and scalable deployment – to create and prevent technological surprise.  TTO’s goal is to demonstrate compelling hardware at the smallest scale that traces to disruptive capability, with designs that reduce risk and cost by managing complexity and can be manufactured responsively and affordably.  Additional information on TTO is available here: https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/tto.

Amentum is seeking a mid- to senior-level engineer/scientist with experience in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) architecture development. The ability to work on-site at the client location (Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, VA) is preferred, though arrangements for some degree of hybrid work may be possible.  Some travel (~25%), local as well as domestic, will be required.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support and independent assessments to Government Program Managers (PMs)

• Assist in the identification, development, and evaluation of new program concepts and technology initiatives

• Lead technical interchange meetings (TIMs), integrated product teams (IPTs), and design reviews

• Support program experimentation and test activities, including development of test plans and coordination with performers, government stakeholders, test ranges, and test facilities

• Evaluate technical progress, risks, and program execution across multiple performers and development efforts

• Author technical reports, program briefings, memoranda, and decision-support materials

• Support transition planning and engagement with military Services, Combatant Commands, and other transition partners

• Provide day-to-day program support, including participation in performer calls, major reviews, internal DARPA meetings, and stakeholder engagements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical / aerospace / electrical / computer engineering or related field

• At least 12 years’ professional experience

• Must have an Active US Government Secret security clearance. Please note US citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a security clearance

• 5+ years of experience developing GNC, flight control, navigation, autopilot, and/or power electronics systems of aerospace vehicles as an individual contributor, project lead, or chief engineer

• Experience in a Department of War (DoW) research and development (R&D) organization (DARPA, SCO, AFRL, JHTO, etc.) or Acquisition organization (PAE Fires, SSP, AFLMC, etc.), and/or as a performer (industry, FFRDC, or UARC) to those kinds of organizations

• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional engineering teams and technical development efforts

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences

• The demonstrated professionalism, maturity, sound judgement, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills necessary for daily interactions with a Government Program Manager, other technical support personnel, and executive-level audiences in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Highly Desired Attributes:

• Doctorate in mechanical/aerospace/electrical/computer engineering or related field

• Active Top Secret security clearance, with ability to obtain SCI access

• 5+ years of experience supporting the development of hypersonic vehicles, re-entry systems, tactical missile systems, or other high-speed aerospace platforms

• Familiarity with high-level DoW programming, requirements, science & technology, and acquisition processes

• Experience conducting system architecture trades, modeling and simulation activities, verification and validation efforts, or flight test campaigns

Compensation Details:

$150K-$270K

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax-saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting:

07/28/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed,  marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.