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Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer Jobs in Oregon

Design intuitive, easy-to-navigate, aesthetically pleasing HMI interfaces. * Interface with clients ... Degree in electrical, mechanical, chemical or related engineering field or equivalent relevant ...

Senior Research Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

... navigate challenging control problems. You will have the opportunity to develop new lines of ... Performing engineering analyses, writing reports, and preparing presentations for clients.

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Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer information

What is a guidance navigation control GNC engineer?

A Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer is responsible for designing and developing algorithms and systems that enable vehicles, such as aircraft, spacecraft, and autonomous systems, to navigate and control their movement. They work with sensors, actuators, and control laws to ensure stability, accuracy, and performance in dynamic environments. GNC engineers use simulations, modeling, and real-world testing to refine designs and improve system reliability. Their work is crucial in industries like aerospace, defense, robotics, and autonomous vehicles.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a guidance navigation control GNC engineer?

To thrive as a Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, control theory, and systems modeling, typically backed by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink, experience with embedded systems, and sometimes certifications such as EIT/FE are valuable assets. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and address complex technical challenges. These competencies ensure robust GNC solutions are developed and integrated successfully into aerospace or defense systems.

What does a guidance navigation control GNC engineer do?

As a GNC Engineer, you’ll regularly design, analyze, and implement algorithms that control vehicle flight and navigation—working hands-on with simulation tools and actual hardware. Your daily tasks might include developing mathematical models, performing hardware-in-the-loop testing, troubleshooting integration issues, and supporting system validation in the lab or on test ranges. You’ll work closely with mechanical, software, and systems engineers to ensure all subsystems function seamlessly together. This collaborative and dynamic environment provides hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology and room to specialize or lead technical teams in the future.

What are the most commonly searched types of Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer jobs in Oregon? The most popular types of Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer jobs in Oregon are:
What are popular job titles related to Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer jobs in Oregon? For Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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Infographic showing various Guidance Navigation Control Gnc Engineer job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Principal Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) Engineer

K2 Space

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$190K - $260K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

The Role
 
As a Principal GNC engineer, you will be a core driver of the overall spacecraft GNC architecture. You will execute detailed trade studies to find new and novel ways to implement the spacecraft's guidance, attitude control, and attitude and orbit estimation systems. You will anticipate company needs and stand-up infrastructure to support the core and future business.
 
In the first 3 months, you will own and execute the Verification and Validation plan for the GNC stack, driving the system to flight readiness via a robust and thorough analysis of vehicle performance in both nominal and off nominal environments. This push for flight readiness will motivate thorough analysis, leading to updates to both the GNC stack and the K2 6-DOF simulation. The expectation is that all GNC team members commit code to the 6-DOF sim as well as owning a portion of the GNC flight software.
 
In the first 6 months, you will support launch and on orbit operations of the first full demonstration of the K2 spacecraft bus - the Mega. In parallel, you will scope and support the block 2 upgrades of the GNC stack and 6-DOF sim, taking lessons learned from on orbit operations to increase the fidelity of the simulation and the vehicle performance of the GNC stack.
 
In the first year, you will own the planning and development of future tooling to support GNC in defining vehicle level capabilities, especially for future missions. This includes mission design, precision pointing and controls analysis, constellation development, and 6-DOF simulation development.
 
Responsibilities
  • Work with other engineering leads to set the direction and develop novel vehicle architecture
  • Develop novel algorithms for precise pointing of very large, flexible structures in earth orbit and beyond
  • Develop novel slewing algorithms of very large, flexible structures in earth orbit and beyond
  • Develop simulation and modeling tools to support vehicle and GNC trade studies. This includes mission design, controls analysis, and 6-DOF simulation development.
  • Integral to building the GNC organization by recruiting, hiring, and mentoring other engineers 
Qualifications
  • Experience with GNC actuator or sensor sizing, selection, and system design
  • Experience with implementing attitude control and/or estimation algorithms on spacecraft
  • Experience with verification and validation of GNC flight software in an integrated environment, leveraging 6-DOF simulation and HITL testing.
  • Experience with early-stage spacecraft conceptual design, i.e. "clean sheet" design work
  • Experience with Python, Julia, C/C++, or Matlab for algorithm development, implementation, and simulation
Nice to Have
  • Experience with control algorithm development
  • Experience with reaction wheel, control moment gyroscope, or thruster sizing and algorithm implementation
  • Experience with navigation, specifically Extended Kalman Filters
  • Experience with trajectory analysis, modeling, and mission design
Compensation and Benefits:
  • Base salary range for this role is $190,000 - $260,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

K2 Space logo

About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022