--- title: GNC Engineer II Navigation at Pivotal in Palo Alto, CA description: Pivotal is hiring for the GNC Engineer II Navigation role in Palo Alto, CA. Pays $139K–$160K per year. See the full description and apply. type: job url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/gnc-engineer-ii-navigation-at-pivotal-01a113bd-9cfd-7b52-bf2c-b2cecf27cb6d date: 2026-10-07T01:17:06Z og_description: Join Pivotal as GNC Engineer II Navigation in Palo Alto, CA. Pays $139K–$160K per year. Full-time, on-site role. og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/og/rqhy79.png breadcrumbs: - label: Home url: https://www.foundrole.com/ - label: Search url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs --- | | | |---|---| | **Company** | Pivotal | | **Location** | Palo Alto, CA | | **Salary** | $139K/yr - $160K/yr | | **Type** | Full Time | | **Posted** | Oct 06, 2026 | ## Description Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.   Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in 2026.   Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us. # About the Role The GNC team at Pivotal develops the flight control and navigation algorithms that let our aircraft fly safely and precisely, including on the Helix family of aircraft. We are looking for a GNC Engineer II who focuses on navigation to design, implement, and verify the state estimation and sensor fusion algorithms. These algorithms estimate the aircraft’s attitude, heading, position, velocity, and other critical states in real time. You will work across the full development lifecycle. That includes characterizing sensors and designing algorithms in MATLAB and Simulink, deploying them on embedded flight hardware, testing them in simulation and hardware-in-the-loop, and analyzing flight test data. You will work closely with the flight controls, firmware, avionics, autonomy, systems engineering, and flight test teams. The ideal candidate has a solid grounding in estimation theory and hands-on experience taking a filter from design all the way to real sensor data or hardware. Experience with aircraft navigation systems, GNSS/INS integration, and eVTOL or UAV platforms is highly desirable. Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.   Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.   Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. ## Skills - Electrical Grounding - Palo Alto Networks - eVTOL Design - GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - eVTOL - GPS Navigation ## Benefits - Health Insurance - Dental Insurance - Vision Insurance - 401(k) Plans ## Related - [Engineering jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Aerospace Engineering jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering/aerospace-engineering?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Aerospace Engineer jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering/aerospace-engineering/aerospace-engineer?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Browse all companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) ## Explore this job market - [California](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 265630 jobs - [Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/aerospace-and-defense/aviation-and-aerospace-component-manufacturing?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 11616 jobs - [Palo Alto, CA](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california/palo-alto?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 4945 jobs ## Related pages - [California](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 265630 jobs - [Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/aerospace-and-defense/aviation-and-aerospace-component-manufacturing?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 11616 jobs - [Palo Alto, CA](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california/palo-alto?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 4945 jobs ## Browse - [Companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by country](https://www.foundrole.com/locations?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs in the United States by state and city](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B sponsors by location](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-sponsors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B salaries](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-salaries?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Sectors and industries](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by career field](https://www.foundrole.com/careers?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Latest jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/latest?utm_source=ai_markdown)