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Defense Startup Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Singularity Defense Corp.

Director of GNC

Gardena, CA · On-site

We are a stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in Gardena, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff-level military ...

Allen Control Systems

Supply Chain Manager

Austin, TX · On-site

Company Overview Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup, founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing ...

Specter Aerospace

Mechanical Engineer I

Peabody, MA · On-site

Funded by a mix of government R&D organizations, commercial customers, and private funding, Specter is a growing aerospace and defense startup.Specter is expanding its team in preparation for flight ...

Allen Control Systems

IT Help Desk Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup focused on developing autonomous gun turrets with advanced computer vision and control systems. They are seeking an IT Help Desk Engineer ...

Singularity Defense Corp.

VP of Finance

Gardena, CA · On-site

About The Company We are a stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in Gardena, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff ...

Allen Control Systems

Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup developing autonomous gun turret technology. They are seeking a highly skilled software engineer proficient in C++ or Python to design ...

Allen Control Systems

Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup developing advanced technologies for targeting and neutralizing drones. They are seeking a highly skilled software engineer proficient in ...

Specter Aerospace

Mechanical Technician

Peabody, MA · On-site

Funded by a mix of government R&D organizations, commercial customers, and private funding, Specter is a growing aerospace and defense startup. Specter is expanding its team in preparation for flight ...

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How much do defense startup jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense startup in the United States is $109,024.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,000.00 and $128,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
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Defense Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Startup job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,024 per year, or $52.4 per hour.

Director of GNC

Singularity Defense Corp.

Gardena, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

About the Company:
We are a stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in Gardena, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff-level military leadership and several Silicon Valley firms. With a world-class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.
Position Overview
The Director of GNC Engineering for Missile Systems leads the design, development, integration, and fielding of advanced guidance, navigation, and control solutions for tactical and strategic missile platforms. This role is responsible for delivering high-reliability, mission-critical flight performance in highly dynamic and contested operational environments.
The Director provides technical leadership across the full lifecycle-from concept development and proposal capture through flight test, production, and sustainment-while ensuring compliance with DoD requirements, security protocols, and program performance objectives.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead and grow a high-performing GNC engineering team supporting missile development programs.
  • Define and execute GNC architectures, including guidance laws, autopilot design, state estimation, and navigation filtering.
  • Oversee development of midcourse and terminal guidance solutions, including performance in GPS-denied or electronically contested environments.
  • Direct modeling and simulation efforts, including 6-DOF simulations, Monte Carlo analysis, and performance trade studies.
  • Ensure robust integration across seekers, inertial navigation systems (INS), actuators, propulsion systems, flight software, and warhead interfaces.
  • Lead hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and system integration lab (SIL) activities.
  • Support ground and flight test campaigns, including pre-flight readiness reviews, telemetry analysis, and post-flight anomaly resolution.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable MIL-STDs, airworthiness requirements, safety certifications, and cybersecurity standards.
  • Partner with Program Management and Business Development in proposal efforts, technical volume development, and customer engagements.
  • Manage budget, staffing plans, subcontractor oversight, and schedule performance.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master's or PhD preferred).
  • 12+ years of experience in GNC development for missile, hypersonic, or high-speed flight systems.
  • 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams in defense programs.
  • Deep expertise in:
    • Guidance law design (e.g., proportional navigation, optimal guidance)
    • Autopilot and control system design
    • State estimation and sensor fusion (INS/GNSS integration)
    • High-dynamic flight environments
  • Experience with 6-DOF simulation environments and real-time embedded flight systems.
  • Strong understanding of missile system integration and flight test execution.
  • Active Secret clearance required; Top Secret preferred.

Preferred Experience
  • Experience with boost, midcourse, and terminal phase guidance architectures.
  • Familiarity with seeker technologies (RF, IR, multi-mode).
  • Experience in hypersonic or high-Mach flight regimes.
  • Background in production transition and reliability growth for fielded missile systems.
  • Experience operating in classified program environments.

Apply