GNC Engineer

We are currently hiring for a Senior GNC Engineer. In this role you will be responsible for hardware, flight software, algorithms, analyses, and subsystem integration for spacecraft. To be considered for this position you must be a US Citizen with a current Secret Clearance, have at least 5 years of similar experience with Satellite or Spacecraft and have a STEM Degree. This position does require on-site work. We do have additional higher level- similar positions.

Senior Guidance, Navigation & Controls Engineer

On-site in El Segundo, CA

Target salary range: $135,150 - $198,750

Lead the design, development, analysis, and delivery of the Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) subsystem for advanced satellite programs and constellations. As the Responsible Engineering Authority (REA), you will oversee GNC hardware, flight software, algorithms, and system performance while providing technical leadership and program execution oversight throughout the spacecraft lifecycle.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Responsible Engineering Authority (REA) for the spacecraft GNC subsystem
• Deliver complete GNC solutions including hardware, flight software, algorithms, analyses, and subsystem integration.
• Perform spacecraft attitude determination and control system design, analysis, modeling, and performance assessment.
• Develop and validate GNC algorithms and Flight Control Software (FCSW).
• Select and evaluate GNC sensors and actuators, including star trackers, IMUs, reaction wheels, magnetorquers, and related hardware.
• Perform spacecraft kinematic, dynamic, estimation, and control system analyses using commercial and internally developed tools.
• Lead subsystem architecture development, design trades, and requirements verification activities.
• Manage GNC scope, schedule, cost, technical risks, and deliverables throughout program execution.
• Provide technical leadership, task decomposition, work delegation, and mentoring for GNC engineering teams.
• Interface closely with systems engineering, flight software, avionics, propulsion, mission operations, and program management teams.
• Support spacecraft Integration & Test (I&T), environmental testing, anomaly resolution, and on-orbit mission operations.
• Report technical progress, risks, and mitigation plans to program and company leadership.

Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship is required by Federal Law
• Ability to obtain an Active Secret Clearance required
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 5 years of industry experience in spacecraft GNC, spacecraft systems engineering, or related aerospace disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) principles and spacecraft system design
• Experience performing spacecraft dynamics, kinematics, estimation, and control system analysis.
• Experience developing analytical tools, simulations, and models to support GNC design and verification.
• Ability to lead technical efforts and decompose complex engineering challenges into executable tasks.
• Experience collaborating across multidisciplinary spacecraft engineeringteams.
• Ability to support spacecraft integration, test, and mission operations activities, including occasional off-hours support.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10 years of spacecraft GNC experience supporting satellite development programs.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Experience supporting spacecraft Integration & Test (I&T) and on-orbit operations.
• Experience leading GNC subsystem development for satellite programs or constellations.
• Strong project management experience, including cost, schedule, and risk management.
• Advanced knowledge of:
• Classical Control Theory, Modern Control Theory, State Estimation, Kalman Filtering, System-Level Trade Studies, Architecture Development, Systems Integration & Analysis.
• Experience establishing technical processes, standards, and engineering best practices.
• Demonstrated success troubleshooting and root-causing spacecraft anomalies during integration and testing.