Principal GNSS/PNT Systems Engineer

The Opportunity:
We are seeking a Principal level GNSS / PNT Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership in architecting, developing, and validating advanced test solutions for CRPA antennas, GNSS receivers, and next generation LEO/MEO PNT signals. In this role, you will define system level test strategies, lead complex RF/signal simulation architectures, and shape the technical direction of future PNT capability development. You will work across RF, digital signal processing, and algorithm teams to ensure our PNT solutions meet the highest performance and resiliency standards expected in contested and evolving operational environments.

Our Technology:

Safran Federal Systems provides Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (R-PNT) solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, defense organizations and their contractors. Safran Federal Systems is authorized to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects, in addition to supporting strategic partnerships for key defense PNT technologies.

How I will Contribute:

• Serve as the technical authority for end‑to‑end test architecture development supporting qualification of CRPAs, GNSS receivers, and multi-orbit PNT signal sources.
• Develop and oversee complex scenario models—dynamic Doppler environments, orbital visibility profiles, threat scenarios, and mission-representative degradation conditions.
• Architect advanced RF test configurations involving multi-channel GNSS/LEO/MEO simulation systems, phase-coherent distribution, interference injection, and precision timing frameworks.
• Drive the creation and validation of new-signal simulation capabilities for emerging LEO/MEO PNT systems, alternative waveforms, and hybrid PNT constructs.
• Lead high-level analysis of spatial processing performance, including beamforming, nulling, interference mitigation, and multi-element calibration.
• Evaluate receiver performance: sensitivity, tracking dynamics, anti-jam/spoof robustness, and multi-orbit signal fusion.
• Lead major lab and field test campaigns, setting technical objectives, ensuring data quality, and guiding root-cause analyses.
• Provide technical leadership for design reviews, program capture efforts, roadmap planning, and customer engagements.
• Mentor engineering teams, including active mentoring of junior engineers.
• Maintain awareness of evolving PNT threats, multi-orbit architectures, CRPA advancements, and industry standards.

What You Bring to Safran Federal Systems: 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in GNSS/PNT system engineering, RF test development, receiver/antenna integration, or advanced PNT research.
• Demonstrated technical leadership in CRPA systems, phased-array testing, and spatial signal processing.
• Deep expertise with GNSS and non-GNSS signals, including next-generation LEO/MEO PNT concepts.
• Strong proficiency with multi-channel signal simulators, RF vector generators, spectrum analyzers, and PNT‑specific test environments.
• Proven ability to architect complex test frameworks and guide teams in their implementation.
• Advanced modeling and analysis experience with MATLAB, Python, or equivalent environments.
• Proficiency in C++ for simulation tooling, systems integration, or high-performance processing modules.
• Experience with PNT architecture, orbital modeling, time-transfer techniques, and high-dynamic signal simulation preferred.
• Expertise in CRPA calibration, array manifolds, interference threat modeling, and advanced jamming/spoofing scenarios preferred.
• Familiarity with PNT resiliency techniques and MIL‑STD environmental/qualification testing preferred.
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) simulation systems preferred.
• Active or eligible security clearance, preferred.
• Strong communication skills, with a track record leading cross-disciplinary engineering efforts and influencing design direction.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Positive attitude, willingness to learn.
• Ability to move throughout the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position approximately 50% of the time.

About Safran Federal Systems:

Safran Federal Systems has been awarded as a Winner of the USA Today and Rochester Metro Area Top Workplaces 2026 Award.
 

In 2022, Safran acquired Orolia, now Safran Trusted 4D, the world leader in Resilient PNT. At the intersection of critical infrastructure and national defense, Safran Trusted 4D solutions govern and protect the integrity of systems that shape the world.  In early 2019, Orolia Defense & Security spun off as a separate entity from its parent company Orolia, with the mission of providing resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, U.S. Defense organizations, and their contractors. 

In August of 2019, Safran Federal Systems acquired Talen-X, a U.S. company specializing in advanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Simulation solutions and Interference, Detection, and Mitigation (IDM) technologies. Talen-X's portfolio was an ideal fit and has helped to enhance Safran FS's overall offerings. The acquisition enabled Talen-X's existing resources, operations and capabilities to be scaled and accelerated to better support the warfighter. Read the press release here.

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Safran Federal Systems operates as a proxy-regulated company, Free of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI). As such, Safran FS Defense & Security is approved to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects and is positioned to support strategic partnerships in the development of key PNT technologies for the defense market.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Please note this description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.