Aerospace Engineering Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

As a Senior GNC Engineer specializing in navigation and estimation at Firefly, you will design and implement navigation systems and state estimation algorithms for operational launch vehicles. In this role, you will develop and tune navigation filters and sensor fusion algorithms, support hardware-in-the-loop testing and system integration, and provide technical leadership while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. This position combines advanced estimation theory, real-time embedded systems development, and hands-on flight operations support while mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced operational environment.

• Design, analyze, and tune launch vehicle navigation software to ensure accurate state estimation from launch to orbit
• Implement advanced filtering techniques using inertial sensor and GNSS measurements
• Develop navigation systems robust to error sources including inertial sensor bias, GNSS signal degradation, noise, and sensor misalignments
• Establish technical standards and validation methodologies for navigation system design, software development, and hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Conduct covariance analysis, sensitivity studies, and performance optimization for navigation systems under nominal and off-nominal flight conditions
• Support hardware-in-the-loop test campaigns for integrated GNC systems including navigation algorithm validation, flight software verification, and system-level performance testing
• Drive resolution of complex GNC challenges requiring deep technical expertise and rapid problem-solving
• Provide technical direction on system architecture and serve as subject matter expert for launch vehicle state estimation
• Mentor junior engineers in estimation theory and flight software development
• Author technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate GNC concepts and results to diverse audiences
• Interface with cross-discipline teams to integrate navigation software with vehicle hardware
• Serve as a GNC console operator for launch operations and perform post-flight analysis to improve vehicle models
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes, tools, and operational efficiency

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
• 5-10 years of experience in launch vehicle GNC systems with significant depth in navigation system design or flight software development
• Advanced knowledge of state estimation techniques including Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, and covariance analysis
• Strong understanding of inertial navigation systems, GNSS processing, and navigation sensor error modeling
• Expertise in real-time software development using C++ for flight-critical applications
• Experience developing high-fidelity sensor models and navigation system testbeds
• Proficiency in hardware-in-the-loop testing and requirement verification for flight-critical systems
• Understanding of software development best practices including version control (Git), code documentation, and testing
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

• Master's degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, or related field
• Experience developing custom navigation or state estimation algorithms for launch vehicle applications
• Expertise in advanced filtering techniques such as unscented Kalman filters, particle filters, or adaptive estimation methods
• Hands-on experience with launch vehicle sensor systems including fiber optic gyros, ring laser gyros, MEMS IMUs, and GNSS receivers
• Advanced knowledge of launch vehicle flight mechanics and high-fidelity modeling of gravity, aerodynamics, and propulsion
• Advanced knowledge of attitude dynamics and control theory, including rotational dynamics, attitude representations, control moment generation, and stability analysis
• Experience with modern flight software frameworks and real-time operating systems
• Software engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control, code review, testing, documentation, and CI/CD workflows
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, data analysis, and automation
• Working knowledge of launch vehicle systems and mission operations
• Proven ability to develop junior engineers while managing technical responsibilities
• Track record of thought leadership through publications, presentations, or contributions to industry state-of-the-art

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

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.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.