GNC Engineer III (Navigation), Eclipse

Firefly Aerospace•Cedar Park, TX

21h

About The Position

As a Senior GNC Engineer specializing in navigation and estimation at Firefly, you will design and implement navigation systems and state estimation algorithms for operational launch vehicles. In this role, you will develop and tune navigation filters and sensor fusion algorithms, support hardware-in-the-loop testing and system integration, and provide technical leadership while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. This position combines advanced estimation theory, real-time embedded systems development, and hands-on flight operations support while mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced operational environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
5-10 years of experience in launch vehicle GNC systems with significant depth in navigation system design or flight software development
Advanced knowledge of state estimation techniques including Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, and covariance analysis
Strong understanding of inertial navigation systems, GNSS processing, and navigation sensor error modeling
Expertise in real-time software development using C++ for flight-critical applications
Experience developing high-fidelity sensor models and navigation system testbeds
Proficiency in hardware-in-the-loop testing and requirement verification for flight-critical systems
Understanding of software development best practices including version control (Git), code documentation, and testing
Excellent communication and presentation skills

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, or related field
Experience developing custom navigation or state estimation algorithms for launch vehicle applications
Expertise in advanced filtering techniques such as unscented Kalman filters, particle filters, or adaptive estimation methods
Hands-on experience with launch vehicle sensor systems including fiber optic gyros, ring laser gyros, MEMS IMUs, and GNSS receivers
Advanced knowledge of launch vehicle flight mechanics and high-fidelity modeling of gravity, aerodynamics, and propulsion
Advanced knowledge of attitude dynamics and control theory, including rotational dynamics, attitude representations, control moment generation, and stability analysis
Experience with modern flight software frameworks and real-time operating systems
Software engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control, code review, testing, documentation, and CI/CD workflows
Proficiency in Python for scripting, data analysis, and automation
Working knowledge of launch vehicle systems and mission operations
Proven ability to develop junior engineers while managing technical responsibilities
Track record of thought leadership through publications, presentations, or contributions to industry state-of-the-art

Responsibilities

Design, analyze, and tune launch vehicle navigation software to ensure accurate state estimation from launch to orbit
Implement advanced filtering techniques using inertial sensor and GNSS measurements
Develop navigation systems robust to error sources including inertial sensor bias, GNSS signal degradation, noise, and sensor misalignments
Establish technical standards and validation methodologies for navigation system design, software development, and hardware-in-the-loop testing
Conduct covariance analysis, sensitivity studies, and performance optimization for navigation systems under nominal and off-nominal flight conditions
Support hardware-in-the-loop test campaigns for integrated GNC systems including navigation algorithm validation, flight software verification, and system-level performance testing
Drive resolution of complex GNC challenges requiring deep technical expertise and rapid problem-solving
Provide technical direction on system architecture and serve as subject matter expert for launch vehicle state estimation
Mentor junior engineers in estimation theory and flight software development
Author technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate GNC concepts and results to diverse audiences
Interface with cross-discipline teams to integrate navigation software with vehicle hardware
Serve as a GNC console operator for launch operations and perform post-flight analysis to improve vehicle models
Champion continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes, tools, and operational efficiency