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Gnc Engineer Jobs in Poway, CA (NOW HIRING)

Inversion

Senior GNC Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$139K - $199K/yr

As a GNC Engineer at Inversion, you will have an instrumental impact on the functionality and performance of our next-generation reentry vehicles. You will own a substantial aspect of the Guidance ...

Inversion

Staff GNC Engineer (Guidance)

Vista, CA · On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

As the Staff GNC Engineer (Guidance), you will be responsible for developing the guidance architecture for a high-performance maneuvering reentry vehicle, delivering high performance in the face of ...

Inversion

Senior GNC Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$139K - $199K/yr

As the Senior GNC Engineer (Controls), you will be part of the team that develops high fidelity plant models describing Inversion's reentry vehicles and you own the development of the flight control ...

Inversion

Staff GNC Engineer (State Estimation)

Vista, CA · On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

As the Staff GNC Engineer (State Estimation), you will give our vehicles an accurate, continuously updated picture of the world around them - estimating and predicting the state and behavior of ...

General Atomics

Flight Controls Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

$110 - $140/hr

The guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) engineer will focus on flight controls and support world class production Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) programs. Job Summary General Atomics Aeronautical ...

General Atomics

Flight Controls Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

Perform GNC-related tasks for varying levels of aircraft modifications, including requirements development, software integration and validation, simulation analysis to support airworthiness risk ...

General Atomics

Flight Controls Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

Perform GNC-related tasks for varying levels of aircraft modifications, including requirements development, software integration and validation, simulation analysis to support airworthiness risk ...

General Atomics

Flight Controls Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

Perform GNC-related tasks for varying levels of aircraft modifications, including requirements development, software integration and validation, simulation analysis to support airworthiness risk ...

General Atomics

Flight Controls Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

The department seeks guidance, navigation, and flight control (GNC) engineers who are proficient not only in control law design and analysis but also in the flight-critical software production. Work ...

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All JobsGnc Engineer JobsGnc Engineer Jobs in Poway, CA

Gnc Engineer information

See Poway, CA salary details

$43.1K

$111.5K

$169.3K

How much do gnc engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for gnc engineer in Poway, CA is $111,480.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,800.00 and $136,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a GNC engineer?

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 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 cities near Poway, CA are hiring for Gnc Engineer jobs?

Cities near Poway, CA with the most Gnc Engineer job openings:

Gnc Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gnc Engineer job openings in Poway, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,480 per year, or $53.6 per hour.

Senior GNC Engineer

Inversion

Vista, CA • On-site

$139K - $199K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth
Who We Are:
Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space.
Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turning Low-Earth Orbit into an on-demand logistics domain. We see space not as a destination, but as a platform - one that unlocks unprecedented speed and global reach.
Our spacecraft are designed to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds.
Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying the groundwork for future commercial applications. Backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, and working with partners such as the U.S. Space Force and NASA, Inversion is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space-based defense and logistics.
What You'll Do:
As a GNC Engineer at Inversion, you will have an instrumental impact on the functionality and performance of our next-generation reentry vehicles. You will own a substantial aspect of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control that will enable the accurate and precise landing of our Arc spacecraft. Aspects of this work include developing novel algorithms for the final landing stages of flight, building the modeling and simulation needed to quickly iterate on those algorithms, and rapidly flight testing them to achieve the required performance. This is a unique opportunity to work on the early stages of a novel reentry vehicle, including defining vehicle architecture and creatively solving new design challenges. Your impact will be on all aspects of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control that powers the world's first reentry vehicle designed for turning space into a transportation layer for Earth. You will be a key member of the Accurate Landing team, reporting directly to the Director of Engineering, Accurate Landing.
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Typically 5+ years of applicable experience developing and testing GNC algorithms and systems.
  • Strong fundamental understanding of controls and estimation algorithms including Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, and state estimation.
  • Solid grasp of classical mechanics, dynamics, and rigid body motion.
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C++ for simulation and analysis.
  • Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Capable of working in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment.
  • This position is on-site at Inversion HQ in Playa Vista, CA.
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Experience with guidance and trajectory planning algorithms
  • Experience with system identification and parameter estimation for complex dynamical systems.
  • Experience building code deployed to real hardware in a compute-restricted environment.
  • Practical experience developing GNC for airborne vehicles.
  • Hardware in the Loop (HITL) test experience.

Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in office presence.
The California annual base salary for this role is currently $139,000-$199,000. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.
#LI-FH1
ITAR Compliance:
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. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Inversion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability.
Inversion collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. If you are a US Job Applicant see the CCPA Privacy Policy Noticefor further details.

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