Master’s in Resilient GNSS-Free Navigation Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in resilient GNSS-free navigation engineering, structured in 12 modules covering navigation fundamentals, inertial navigation, filtering and sensor fusion, visual and terrain navigation, signals of opportunity, alternative sensors, GNSS protection, integrity and certification, aeronautical and UAS applications, and testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Resilient GNSS-Free Navigation Engineering — studying from the United States
The United States leads global aerospace, anchored by clusters in Seattle, Wichita, Hartford, Huntsville and the Houston area. Major employers such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, RTX and GE Aerospace drive demand for engineers in airframes, propulsion, avionics and systems integration. Urban air mobility and commercial drone operations are expanding quickly, creating new roles in eVTOL design, airspace integration and UAS operations. Civil and military programs both rely heavily on certified design, testing and airworthiness processes, making this a strong field for engineers seeking complex, high-impact work.
Fees for the United States: US$7,730 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which professional bodies in the United States recognize engineers in aerospace, and does a private qualification help with licensing?
Aerospace engineering in the US is supported by bodies such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and ABET, which accredits engineering degree programs. Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is granted by individual state licensing boards, not by a federal body. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not state degrees, so they do not by themselves lead to PE licensure. Whether they are recognized for any purpose is decided by employers or the relevant professional body.
Do US employers in aerospace, drones or space value a private engineering postgraduate qualification?
Hiring in US aerospace and space companies, including defense contractors and drone firms, typically weighs accredited degrees, licenses, security clearances and hands-on experience heavily. A private online qualification is judged case by case by each employer, and its value depends on the skills it demonstrates and the candidate's track record. It should be seen as a way to build specialist knowledge rather than a guaranteed credential for any role.
Can I realistically study this from the United States while working full time, and how is it paid for?
The programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home and no student visa is needed. A master's requires about 1,900 hours, a postgraduate diplomas about 800 hours, and specialist courses about 300 hours, so planning weekly hours is essential. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers sponsor staff training, which you should confirm with your own employer.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand GNSS vulnerabilities and the resilient PNT concept.
Model and calibrate inertial navigation systems.
Design multi-source sensor fusion filters.
Apply visual, terrain-based and signal-of-opportunity navigation.
Implement GNSS protection and monitoring techniques.
Assess the integrity of navigation solutions.
Validate navigation architectures through testing.
Who it's for
- Navigation engineers.
- PNT systems engineers.
- Sensor fusion specialists.
- Avionics engineers dealing with GNSS interference and contingency.
- GNSS researchers.
- Vehicle autonomy engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aerospace sector.
What you'll work with
- RTCA DO-229E (MOPS for GPS/SBAS airborne equipment)
- RTCA DO-316 (MOPS for GPS/ABAS airborne equipment)
- RTCA DO-334 (MOPS for strapdown AHRS)
- ICAO Doc 9613 (Performance-based Navigation Manual)
- ICAO Doc 9849 (Global Navigation Satellite System Manual)
- IEEE Std 952 (fibre optic gyro specification and test)
- IEEE Std 1293 (linear accelerometer specification and test)
- EUROCAE ED-259 (MOPS for dual-frequency multi-constellation receivers)
- MATLAB Navigation Toolbox
- ROS 2
- GNSS-SDR
- RTKLIB
- OpenVINS
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Reference systems and frames1.2Navigation equations1.3Sources of navigation error1.4Dead reckoning1.5GNSS constellation architectures1.6GNSS vulnerabilities1.7Interference and spoofing1.8PBN performance requirements1.9The resilient PNT concept1.10Case study: analysis of a GNSS interference event
2.1Accelerometers and gyroscopes2.2MEMS, FOG and RLG technologies2.3Strapdown inertial mechanisation2.4Sensor errors2.5Initial alignment and gyrocompassing2.6Drift and error growth2.7IMU calibration2.8Allan variance2.9IMU grades2.10Lab: Allan analysis of a MEMS IMU
3.1Kalman filter3.2Extended and unscented filters3.3Particle filter3.4Loose, tight and deep integration3.5Observability of filter states3.6Error modelling3.7Fault detection3.8Factor graph optimisation3.9Post-processed trajectory smoothing3.10Practical exercise: EKF for an aided INS
4.1Monocular and stereo visual odometry4.2Visual SLAM with loop closure4.3Visual-inertial odometry (VIO)4.4Map matching4.5Camera-based terrain navigation4.6Feature detection4.7Stereo and depth cameras4.8Optical flow navigation4.9Robustness to lighting4.10Lab: VIO with the EuRoC dataset
5.1TRN with radar altimeter5.2TERCOM profile correlation5.3Gravity map navigation5.4Magnetic anomaly navigation5.5Digital elevation models5.6Image correlation5.7Limitations over flat terrain5.8Reference databases5.9Integration with INS5.10Practical exercise: terrain profile correlation
6.1Navigation with cellular signals6.2Navigation with digital TV and radio6.3Commercial LEO satellite signals6.4eLoran long-range system6.5DME/DME positioning6.6Wi-Fi and beacons6.7Celestial navigation with star trackers6.8Pseudolites and local networks6.9Multi-source fusion of opportunistic signals6.10Case study: positioning with LTE stations
7.1Radar and laser altimeters7.2LiDAR for navigation7.3Doppler velocity radars7.4Barometers and barometric altimetry7.5Magnetometers and error compensation7.6Chip-scale atomic clocks7.7Quantum inertial navigation sensors7.8Airspeed sensors7.9Physical sensor integration7.10Lab: navigation with LiDAR SLAM
8.1CRPA adaptive antennas8.2Interference detection8.3Signal authentication: Galileo OSNMA8.4Spoofing detection8.5RAIM integrity monitoring8.6Multi-constellation and multi-frequency receivers8.7Multipath mitigation8.8Integrity monitoring8.9Receiver performance standards8.10Practical exercise: spoofing detection with C/N0 monitoring
9.1The integrity concept9.2Horizontal and vertical protection levels9.3Advanced RAIM (ARAIM)9.4SBAS and EGNOS9.5Certification requirements9.6DO-229 and DO-316 standards9.7Safety analysis9.8Algorithm verification9.9Degraded mode management9.10Case study: integrity requirements for an approach
10.1GNSS-free navigation in UAS10.2Indoor operations10.3Navigation in urban environments10.4Commercial aviation under interference10.5Navigation contingency plan10.6Navigation in space10.7Underwater vehicle navigation10.8Agriculture and mining10.9Industry trends in PNT10.10Workshop: navigation architecture for indoor UAS
11.1GNSS signal simulators11.2Anechoic chamber testing11.3Flight testing11.4Reference datasets11.5Performance metrics11.6Testing in controlled environments11.7Licence management for interference testing11.8Analysis of results11.9Test documentation11.10Practical exercise: test campaign with a GNSS simulator
12.1Definition of the GNSS-denied scenario12.2Navigation requirements12.3Sensor selection12.4Fusion architecture12.5Algorithm implementation12.6Performance evaluation12.7Integrity analysis12.8Validation plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB Navigation Toolbox, ROS 2, GNSS-SDR, RTKLIB and OpenVINS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: GNSS signal simulator campaigns, visual-inertial navigation in UAS and spoofing detection tests. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: RTCA DO-229E, RTCA DO-316, RTCA DO-334, ICAO Doc 9613 PBN Manual, ICAO Doc 9849 GNSS Manual, IEEE Std 952, IEEE Std 1293, EUROCAE ED-259.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB Navigation Toolbox, ROS 2, GNSS-SDR, RTKLIB and OpenVINS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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