GNC Engineer (Contract)

SET Development

2d•Remote

About The Position

SET Development is supporting a confidential aerospace client seeking a GNC Engineer to contribute to the design, analysis, and validation of satellite Guidance, Navigation, and Control systems. This is a REMOTE, contract role. This is a hands-on engineering role across the full spacecraft lifecycle — from requirements and modeling through integration, testing, and mission support. You’ll work alongside experienced engineers solving real flight problems, not just theoretical models. If you’ve built simulations, worked with spacecraft dynamics, or touched control systems in a meaningful way — this is where you level up.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Math, or related STEM field
3+ years (BS) or 1+ year (MS) in GNC, aerospace, or control systems engineering
Experience with MATLAB / Simulink (strong preference)
Working knowledge of spacecraft dynamics, control systems, or simulation environments
Programming experience in C/C++, Python, or similar
Exposure to verification, validation, or system-level testing
U.S. Citizenship required
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance

Nice To Haves

Experience with STK (Systems Tool Kit) or similar tools
Background in spacecraft or aerospace systems (vs. purely academic controls work)
Familiarity with flight software or embedded systems integration
Experience supporting real hardware or mission programs (big differentiator)
Active clearance (Secret+)
Willingness to travel up to ~20% (including occasional international collaboration)

Responsibilities

Contribute to the design and implementation of spacecraft GNC systems across new and existing platforms
Work across sensors, actuators, control algorithms, and flight software integration
Support requirements development and flow-down across subsystem components
Participate in design activities spanning spacecraft, payloads, and integration environments
Drive reuse of existing system architectures while identifying where new design is required
Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams (systems, software, hardware, integration)
Develop and maintain high-fidelity simulation environments for spacecraft performance analysis
Build models integrating GNC algorithms, sensors, actuators, and flight software
Perform Monte Carlo analysis, covariance analysis, and closed-loop performance validation
Support mission trade studies and system-level performance verification
Automate simulation workflows to improve iteration speed and engineering throughput
Document models, assumptions, and validation results for design reviews
Support product line evolution and design standardization efforts
Assist in anomaly resolution, troubleshooting, and system improvements
Identify opportunities for cost efficiency and design optimization