Position Title: Aeronautical Navigation Data & Mission Planning SME
Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract-to-hire opportunity for an Aeronautical Navigation Data Quality & Mission Planning SME with our client located in Patuxent River, Maryland (Onsite).
Position Description:
- Are you annoyed when your map app gives you bad directions? Join a cutting-edge Navy Aeronautical data team ensuring Naval aircraft never experience bad navigation advice in the cockpit.
- This high-impact role sits at the intersection of avionics integration, mission planning systems, and data validation, serving as a key subject matter expert to protect the integrity of the naval aeronautical data chain.
Job Responsibilities:
- Aeronautical Data Integration: Assist with the seamless integration of aeronautical data into military aircraft and mission planning systems to support Performance-Based Navigation (PBN).
- Data Chain Analysis: Evaluate, trace, and analyze the complete aeronautical data chain from raw source inputs to the final point of operational use in the cockpit.
- Data Validation & Verification: Perform rigorous aeronautical data validation to ensure accuracy, compliance, and reliability for critical naval aviation mission planning.
- Systems & Software Integration: Conduct systems and software requirements analysis, design, and systems integration on medium to high-complexity aircraft avionics hardware/software systems.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with flight test teams, software engineers, and Navy stakeholders to troubleshoot navigation data anomalies and improve system performance.
Job Qualifications
- Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline (including math or computer science) plus 5 or more years of hands-on technical experience.
- Domain Knowledge: Direct experience working with Navy mission planning systems and a strong working knowledge of aircraft navigation and related avionics systems.
- Data Standards: Functional understanding of aeronautical data formats, including DAFIF, ARINC 424, and aircraft binary formats.
- Technical & Software Skills: Familiarity with software programming languages, software testing methodologies, and systems/software requirements analysis.
- Communication: Excellent technical, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Job Qualifications:
- Aviation Background: Operational experience as a military/civilian pilot, aircraft navigator, or air traffic control specialist.
- Regulatory & Process Expertise: In-depth knowledge of DO-200/201 data processing requirements and standards.
- Specialized Training: Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) training.
- Database & Scripting: Practical familiarity with SQL database querying and Microsoft Access VBA.
Job Details:
- Job Type: Contract-to-Hire
- Pay Rate Range: $41/hr-$62.50/hr
- Location: Patuxent River, MD (Onsite).
- Required US Citizenship -May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance at the appropriate level.
Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and an administered 401k plan.
About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.