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Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Astrion

$135K - $195K/yr

Experience with spacecraft flexible body and propellant slosh in low-g environments. * Strong ... The Guidance, Navigation, and Control ( GN&C) Engineer provides support on behalf of our customers ...

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Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer information

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$42K

$108.6K

$165K

How much do spacecraft guidance navigation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for spacecraft guidance navigation engineer in the United States is $108,638.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer do?

A Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing the systems that control a spacecraft’s trajectory and orientation during its mission. They ensure the spacecraft can accurately navigate from launch to its destination, and perform necessary maneuvers in space. This involves working with sensors, control algorithms, and software to guide the spacecraft, as well as collaborating with other engineers to integrate these systems into the overall spacecraft design.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer?

To thrive as a Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, orbital mechanics, and control theory, usually supported by at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field. Proficiency with simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink, GN&C software, and familiarity with programming languages such as C++ or Python is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork skills help you excel in design reviews and mission-critical operations. These competencies ensure precise spacecraft trajectory control and mission success in the highly technical and collaborative environment of space missions.

What are some common challenges faced by Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineers during mission operations?

Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring precise trajectory control in the presence of unexpected disturbances, like space weather or onboard hardware anomalies. They must also troubleshoot real-time navigation errors, coordinate solutions with multidisciplinary teams, and adapt quickly to mission updates or new constraints. Effective communication and strong problem-solving skills are critical, as these engineers frequently collaborate with mission control, systems engineers, and software developers to maintain spacecraft safety and mission objectives.

What is the difference between Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer vs Spacecraft Systems Engineer?

AspectSpacecraft Guidance Navigation EngineerSpacecraft Systems Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and implementing guidance, navigation, and control systems for spacecraftOverseeing overall spacecraft system integration and functionality
Required SkillsNavigation algorithms, control systems, orbital mechanicsSystems engineering, integration, testing, and project management
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, mission control, aerospace companiesDesign offices, project teams, aerospace firms
CertificationsTypically none specific, but aerospace engineering credentials preferredSystems engineering certifications (e.g., INCOSE)

While both roles are vital in spacecraft development, the Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer specializes in navigation and control systems, ensuring precise spacecraft movement. The Spacecraft Systems Engineer oversees the entire spacecraft system integration, focusing on overall functionality and mission success. Both roles often collaborate closely but differ in their core responsibilities and expertise areas.

What are popular job titles related to Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer jobs?

For Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Spacecraft Guidance Navigation Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 74% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer Spacecraft / RPO

Carson, CA • On-site

Liberty Personnel, Inc
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Liberty Personnel, Incexternal

$220K - $300K/yr

Other

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Senior Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer Spacecraft Autonomy

Carson, Ca
$225,000 $300,000


Build the Brain That Flies the Spacecraft.

We re looking for an exceptional GNC Engineer to develop the flight-critical algorithms behind the next generation of autonomous spacecraft.


This isn't a role where your work ends in MATLAB.


You'll own GNC technology from simulation through embedded flight software and hardware-in-the-loop testing ultimately helping autonomous spacecraft rendezvous, maneuver, navigate, and operate safely around other objects in orbit.


If you've taken GNC algorithms beyond simulation and into real flight hardware, we want to talk to you.


What You'll Work On

You'll architect, develop, integrate, and validate GNC systems supporting:




  • Autonomous rendezvous & proximity operations (RPO)




  • Formation flying and precision orbital maneuvering




  • Attitude Determination & Control Systems (ADCS)




  • Orbit determination and relative navigation




  • State estimation and sensor fusion




  • Autonomous trajectory planning and control




  • Flight-critical embedded software




You'll work with IMUs, GPS, star trackers, LiDAR, optical navigation sensors, reaction wheels, thrusters, and other spacecraft systems to answer three critical questions:


Where are we? Where do we need to go? How do we get there?


What You'll Be Doing


  • Design and tune spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control algorithms




  • Develop Kalman filtering, state estimation, and sensor-fusion solutions




  • Model orbital dynamics, relative motion, trajectories, and environmental disturbances




  • Develop GNC for autonomous RPO and formation flying




  • Design and validate ADCS and orbit-determination systems




  • Transition algorithms from MATLAB/Simulink and Python into embedded C/C++ flight software




  • Integrate and test algorithms in HIL and flight-like environments




  • Develop 6DOF simulations and conduct Monte Carlo analysis




  • Validate performance under uncertainty, degraded sensors, and failure scenarios




  • Work directly with systems, avionics, software, and autonomy engineers




  • Own your work from initial concept through mission-ready implementation




What We're Looking For


  • 5+ years of GNC experience involving spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, autonomous vehicles, or similar high-performance systems




  • B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline




  • Strong background in control theory, orbital mechanics, and state estimation




  • Experience with Kalman filtering, EKF/UKF, sensor fusion, or orbit determination




  • MATLAB/Simulink and Python proficiency




  • C/C++ experience




  • Experience with HIL, embedded flight software, or flight-like testing




  • Strong understanding of spacecraft dynamics and control




The Experience That Will Really Get Our Attention

You've taken an algorithm off the whiteboard, proved it in simulation, implemented it in flight software, tested it against hardware and ideally watched it perform in an operational environment.


Experience with any of the following is especially valuable:


RPO Rendezvous Proximity Operations Formation Flying ADCS Astrodynamics Optical Navigation LiDAR Star Trackers Reaction Wheels 6DOF HIL Monte Carlo LQR MPC Quaternions STK GMAT FreeFlyer Basilisk


Why This Opportunity?

You'll join a small, high-impact engineering organization developing autonomous spacecraft technology for national security missions.


You won't own one tiny piece of a massive program.


You'll have meaningful technical ownership across the lifecycle architecture, algorithms, simulation, software integration, hardware testing, and ultimately flight.


The compensation reflects the caliber of engineer we're looking for:


$220,000 $300,000


Important Requirements

This position is 100% on-site in Carson, California. Remote and hybrid arrangements are not available.


Candidates must be U.S. Citizens and must have or be capable of obtaining a TS/SCI security clearance.


Interested?

If you're a GNC engineer who wants to build autonomous spacecraft instead of spending your career watching simulations run, let's talk.


Please send your resume to


Chuck LaBenski


Keywords

Guidance Navigation Control, GNC Engineer, GN&C Engineer, Spacecraft GNC, Senior GNC Engineer, Staff GNC Engineer, Flight Dynamics Engineer, ADCS Engineer, Attitude Determination and Control, Controls Engineer, Estimation Engineer, Astrodynamics Engineer, Navigation Engineer, Spacecraft Engineer, RPO, Rendezvous Proximity Operations, Formation Flying, Orbital Mechanics, Orbit Determination, State Estimation, Sensor Fusion, Kalman Filter, EKF, UKF, MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C++, Embedded Flight Software, Hardware-in-the-Loop, HIL, 6DOF, Monte Carlo, Star Tracker, LiDAR, Optical Navigation, Reaction Wheels, LQR, MPC, STK, GMAT, FreeFlyer, Basilisk, TS/SCI, Aerospace, Space Systems

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