GNC Engineer

True Anomaly•Denver, CO

25d•$75,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Own all aspects of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) system development, including architecture definition, algorithm design, verification, hardware integration, and on-orbit operations. Design, test, and validate GNC flight software and embedded algorithms for spacecraft operating in LEO, GEO, and other orbit regimes. Develop and maintain spacecraft Attitude and Orbit Determination & Estimation (AOD/AOE) algorithms, including sensor fusion and filtering frameworks (e.g., EKF, UKF, batch least-squares). Conduct trade studies and provide design recommendations for GNC hardware such as reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, sun sensors, IMUs, and RF/optical navigation sensors. Develop GNC algorithms and implement them in flight software; verify performance and robustness through high-fidelity simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and hardware-in-the-loop testing. Design, implement, and improve high-fidelity 6-DOF simulation environments for SIL, HIL, and advanced mission analysis. Utilize and enhance frequency-domain and time-domain control analysis tools to ensure stability margins, disturbance rejection, and performance in off-nominal conditions. Define system- and subsystem-level GNC requirements, interfaces, and verification plans in collaboration with systems engineering. Work cross-functionally with avionics, propulsion, software, mission operations, and systems teams to ensure seamless integration of GNC functionality. Support on-orbit commissioning, system calibration, maneuver planning, and anomaly resolution throughout mission operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related field
0 - 6 years of relevant GNC Engineering experience in the aerospace and defense industry
Coursework or project experience in spacecraft attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, and control systems
Strong understanding of physics, attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, and software development principles
Internship or project experience in GNC, control systems, or simulation development
Experience withâ¯C++ and/or Pythonâ¯for algorithm development, numerical methods, or simulation
Familiarity with spacecraft GNC concepts, such as sensors, actuators, state estimation, and control laws
Exposure to filtering or estimation methods (e.g., Kalman filters) through internships, coursework, or projects
Ability to build, test, and debug software and simulation tools
Strong analytical skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment
Demonstrated ability to take ownership of tasks and learn new concepts quickly

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in aerospace engineering or equivalent discipline
4+ years experience developing and/or producing GNC systems for space applications
Experience with closed-loop control, orbital maneuvering, filtering, state estimation, fault management, and software development
Experience developing simulation environments for spaceflight physics
Experience with flight operations and solving problems real-time on console
Experience performing line of sight performance analysis such as jitter, smear, and pointing accuracy
Experience doing hands-on GNC hardware testing
Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI US government security clearance

Responsibilities

Own all aspects of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) system development, including architecture definition, algorithm design, verification, hardware integration, and on-orbit operations.
Design, test, and validate GNC flight software and embedded algorithms for spacecraft operating in LEO, GEO, and other orbit regimes.
Develop and maintain spacecraft Attitude and Orbit Determination & Estimation (AOD/AOE) algorithms, including sensor fusion and filtering frameworks (e.g., EKF, UKF, batch least-squares).
Conduct trade studies and provide design recommendations for GNC hardware such as reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, sun sensors, IMUs, and RF/optical navigation sensors.
Develop GNC algorithms and implement them in flight software; verify performance and robustness through high-fidelity simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Design, implement, and improve high-fidelity 6-DOF simulation environments for SIL, HIL, and advanced mission analysis.
Utilize and enhance frequency-domain and time-domain control analysis tools to ensure stability margins, disturbance rejection, and performance in off-nominal conditions.
Define system- and subsystem-level GNC requirements, interfaces, and verification plans in collaboration with systems engineering.
Work cross-functionally with avionics, propulsion, software, mission operations, and systems teams to ensure seamless integration of GNC functionality.
Support on-orbit commissioning, system calibration, maneuver planning, and anomaly resolution throughout mission operations.