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Gnc Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apex

Spacecraft GNC Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $180K/yr

About the Role We are seeking a seasoned Spacecraft GNC Engineer to work on a closely integrated team who will drive the design of the GNC system, including hardware and software, to meet the ...

SpaceX

GNC Engineer (Starlink)

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$155K - $185K/yr

GNC ENGINEER (STARLINK) SpaceX is looking for engineers with backgrounds in orbital mechanics, control theory, state estimation, spacecraft systems design, optimization, and software development to ...

Anduril Industries

GNC Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

Develop models required to support functional evaluation of GNC software REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering ...

Astrolab

Principal GNC Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$180K - $235K/yr

Principal GNC Engineer Department: Software Engineering Employment Type: Full Time Location: Hawthorne, California Reporting To: Denise Brown Compensation: $180,000 - $235,000 / year Description ...

SpaceX

GNC Engineer (Starlink)

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$155K - $185K/yr

GNC ENGINEER (STARLINK) SpaceX is looking for engineers with backgrounds in orbital mechanics, control theory, state estimation, spacecraft systems design, optimization, and software development to ...

Aetherflux

GNC Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

GNC Engineer Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of ...

Protingent

Senior GNC Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Senior GNC Engineer Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting direct-hire Senior GNC Engineer opportunity. Job Responsibilities: * Design and develop guidance, navigation, and control ...

Muon Space

GNC Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$124K - $189K/yr

About the Role Muon seeks a talented Spacecraft Attitude Control System (ACS) AKA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) engineer specializing in attitude control design to join our team. The ideal ...

Benchmark Space Systems

Senior GNC Engineer

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$160K - $210K/yr

Benchmark Space Systems, a leader in small satellite propulsion systems and in-space mobility services, is looking for an experienced Senior GNC Engineer to join our team. In this role you will focus ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

GNC Engineer II

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$96K - $118K/yr

GNC ENGINEER II - MISSION FORMULATION Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the GNC Engineer II-Mission Formulation is responsible for Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC ...

Anduril Industries

GNC Engineer, Space

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

The GNC engineering team will work closely with related teams, including Systems, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software. The GNC Engineer will work algorithm design, truth and ...

Anduril Industries

GNC Engineer, Space

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

The GNC engineering team will work closely with related teams, including Systems, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software. The GNC Engineer will work algorithm design, truth and ...

Anduril Industries

GNC Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

Develop models required to support functional evaluation of GNC software REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering ...

Anduril Industries

GNC Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

Develop models required to support functional evaluation of GNC software REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering ...

Apex

Spacecraft GNC Engineer (Early)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $137K/yr

About the Role We are seeking a Spacecraft GNC Engineer (Early) to work on a closely integrated team who will drive the design of the GNC system, including hardware and software, to meet the position ...

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Gnc Engineer information

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$41.5K

$107.2K

$162.8K

How much do gnc engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for gnc engineer in California is $107,216.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,300.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Gnc Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a GNC Engineer, you need a solid background in control systems, dynamics, navigation algorithms, and aerospace engineering, often complemented by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, and experience with sensor integration or real-time embedded systems are highly valued, along with certifications like EIT or PE being beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and clear communication skills help you excel in collaborative and interdisciplinary environments. These competencies are critical for designing and optimizing guidance, navigation, and control systems that ensure mission success and safety in aerospace projects.

What is a GNC Engineer job?

A GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineer is responsible for developing algorithms and systems that enable vehicles, such as spacecraft, aircraft, or autonomous robots, to navigate and control their movement accurately. They design control systems, work with sensors and actuators, and develop software for real-time decision-making. GNC engineers use techniques from control theory, signal processing, and machine learning to ensure precision and stability in dynamic environments. Their work is crucial for missions requiring autonomous operation, such as space exploration, missile guidance, and drone navigation.

What are typical day-to-day responsibilities for a GNC Engineer?

As a GNC Engineer, your daily responsibilities often include designing and refining algorithms for guidance, navigation, and control; running simulations to test system performance; and analyzing flight data to troubleshoot and optimize system behavior. You may work closely with hardware engineers, software developers, and systems engineers to integrate your solutions into larger aerospace platforms such as rockets, satellites, or UAVs. Collaboration through team meetings, design reviews, and documentation is routine, and you may occasionally participate in field tests or flight demonstrations. Staying organized and adaptive is key, as priorities can shift quickly depending on project timelines and technical challenges.

What are the most commonly searched types of Gnc Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Gnc Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Gnc Engineer jobs in California? For Gnc Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Gnc Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Gnc Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Gnc Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Gnc Engineer job openings:
Gnc Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gnc Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $107,216 per year, or $51.5 per hour.
Senior GNC Engineer I - Mission Formulation

Senior GNC Engineer I - Mission Formulation

Rocket Lab Corporation

Long Beach, CA

Other

Posted 17 days ago

Rocket Lab rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 71 rated aerospace companies

Job description

GNC ENGINEER II/ SENIOR GNC ENGINEER I - MISSION FORMULATION

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior GNC Engineer I - Mission Formulation is responsible for Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) design, modeling, analyses, and testing for Rocket Lab launches and missions. You'll play an integral part of Rocket Lab's Global Launch Services (GLS) Mission Formulation Team, which works closely with other Engineering teams and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life. 

As part of the Mission Formulation team, you'll be responsible for conducting trades studies, preliminary and final mission analyses, and definition and implementation of detailed designs for Rocket Lab's launch programs. This team is also primarily responsible for the formulation and implementation of launches and missions for classified missions on HASTE and Electron launch vehicles. 

Success in this position will be measured by the value of the knowledge and experience in launch vehicle design and mission experience that you bring into this role, your ability to contribute to projects without supervision, successful collaboration with other teams across Rocket Lab, and the skillful prioritization of competing engineering projects across the group. 

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

  • GNC contact to Business Development for proposals and mission definition 
  • Launch and mission operational concept development 
  • Orbital and suborbital trajectory design and analysis 
  • Work with external stakeholders and customers for mission-specific requirements engineering 
  • Document proposed GNC solutions and participate in design reviews with customers 
  • Support hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing to verify trajectories, GNC, and flight code performance 
  • Conduct Monte Carlo simulation analyses to define and verify launch and mission operations 
  • Develop and support release of flight code for pre-launch ground testing, launch, and mission operations 
  • Develop tools and processes for automating common GNC modelling and analysis tasks 

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR GNC ENGINEER I:

  • Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
  • Understanding of orbital mechanics and/ or closed-loop control systems, preferably launch vehicles
  • Experience with trajectory optimization
  • Proven experience developing real-time control and/or estimation algorithms in autonomous vehicles, preferably launch vehicles
  • Active Secret security clearance OR Ability to obtain and maintain one

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

  • Active TS/SCI clearance
  • Experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generation
  • Experience with git version control.
  • 3+ years' experience in modelling, simulation and/or control of dynamics systems, particularly rigid bodies
  • 3+ years' experience with Python development
  • 3+ years' experience with data analysis using MATLAB and/or SciPy
  • Experience developing in C/C++
  • Experience with ASTOS or similar mission analysis,trajectory optimization, vehicle design andsimulationtools
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships
  • Creative, analytical, and good at problem solving
  • Ability to work on own initiative and to plan daily workflow to meet higher level tasks

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

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