Guidance, Navigation & Control (GN&C) Engineer
About the Company
Our client is an early-stage aerospace company developing advanced autonomous spacecraft for national security and commercial space applications. They are building next-generation orbital systems focused on autonomy, resiliency, and mission-critical performance. This is an opportunity to join a small, highly technical team where engineers have significant ownership and direct impact on the product.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Guidance, Navigation & Control (GN&C) Engineer to develop and validate flight-critical algorithms supporting autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations, formation flying, and precision spacecraft maneuvering. This individual will work closely with software, avionics, and systems teams to deliver mission-ready spacecraft capabilities.
Responsibilities
Develop GN&C algorithms for autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations, and formation flying
Design and validate attitude determination and control systems (ADCS)
Model spacecraft dynamics, orbital trajectories, and environmental disturbances
Develop state estimation and sensor fusion algorithms utilizing GPS, IMUs, star trackers, LiDAR, and optical navigation sensors
Integrate algorithms into embedded flight software using C/C++ and Python
Perform hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and validation
Conduct Monte Carlo simulations and performance analysis
Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle
Requirements
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
5+ years of GN&C experience supporting spacecraft, launch vehicles, or autonomous systems
Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, control theory, and state estimation
Experience with Kalman filtering and nonlinear control systems
Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++
Experience transitioning algorithms from simulation into operational environments
U.S. Citizenship required
Ability to obtain or currently hold a TS/SCI clearance
Location