Principal GNC Engineer

True Anomaly, Denver, CO +1

What you will do

Own end-to-end development of spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems, including architecture definition, algorithm design, software implementation, hardware integration, verification, and flight operations
Design, test, and validate GNC flight software for spacecraft operating in LEO, GEO, and cislunar environments
Develop advanced attitude and orbit determination algorithms, including sensor fusion, state estimation, covariance analysis, and Kalman filtering (EKF/UKF/batch)
Design control laws for attitude control, orbit control, maneuver execution, and closed-loop guidance, ensuring required performance and robustness under uncertainties
Lead creation and improvement of high-fidelity 6-DOF simulations, sensor/actuator models, disturbance environments, Monte Carlo pipelines, and SIL/HIL integration
Conduct system-level GNC trade studies and develop recommendations for hardware such as reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, IMUs, GNSS units, and optical navigation sensors
Define GNC subsystem requirements, interfaces, calibration procedures, verification/validation plans, and support design reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR)

All jobs

Principal GNC Engineer

True Anomaly, Denver, CO +1

What you will do

Own end-to-end development of spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems, including architecture definition, algorithm design, software implementation, hardware integration, verification, and flight operations
Design, test, and validate GNC flight software for spacecraft operating in LEO, GEO, and cislunar environments
Develop advanced attitude and orbit determination algorithms, including sensor fusion, state estimation, covariance analysis, and Kalman filtering (EKF/UKF/batch)
Design control laws for attitude control, orbit control, maneuver execution, and closed-loop guidance, ensuring required performance and robustness under uncertainties
Lead creation and improvement of high-fidelity 6-DOF simulations, sensor/actuator models, disturbance environments, Monte Carlo pipelines, and SIL/HIL integration
Conduct system-level GNC trade studies and develop recommendations for hardware such as reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, IMUs, GNSS units, and optical navigation sensors
Define GNC subsystem requirements, interfaces, calibration procedures, verification/validation plans, and support design reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR)

What you need

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related discipline (advanced degree preferred)
15+ years of hands-on experience developing and fielding spacecraft GNC systems
Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, including software development, numerical methods, and algorithm implementation
Deep understanding of spacecraft attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, environmental perturbations, and actuator/sensor physics
Significant experience with estimation and filtering (EKF, UKF, batch least squares), sensor fusion, covariance analysis, and navigation performance assessment
Experience designing control laws and performing stability, robustness, and frequency-domain analysis
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain complex high-fidelity simulations and Monte Carlo frameworks
Experience testing and integrating GNC algorithms with flight hardware, including star trackers, IMUs, reaction wheels, GN&C avionics, and propulsion components
Experience defining subsystem requirements, verification plans, and participating in formal design reviews
Ability to lead cross-disciplinary technical efforts and deliver results with minimal direction
Strong communication skills and ability to mentor and guide less experienced engineers
U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance

Additional requirements

Work Location—This is an onsite position, successful candidates will be located near Long Beach, CA or Denver, CO.
Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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Principal GNC Engineer

What you will do

Principal GNC Engineer

What you will do

What you need

Qualifications

Additional requirements

Nice to have

Pay and benefits

Benefits & perks*

Compensation

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