Senior Navigation & Guidance Engineer

TL;DR

Senior Navigation & Guidance Engineer (GNC): Develop novel algorithms for precise pointing and slewing of very large flexible structures in earth orbit and beyond with an accent on guidance, navigation, and control architecture. Focus on simulation and modeling tools, trade studies, verification, and validation for spacecraft performance in nominal and off-nominal environments.

Must be a U.S. Person per ITAR regulations. Onsite in Los Angeles, California.

Salary: $160,000 - $235,000 + equity

Company

Building the largest and highest-power satellites for missions from LEO to deep space, backed by major investors with launches planned through 2026-2027.

What you will do

• Develop and validate high-level vehicle architecture with engineering leads.
• Design novel algorithms for precise pointing, slewing, attitude control, and estimation for large flexible structures.
• Build simulation and modeling tools including 6-DOF simulations, mission design, and controls analysis.
• Own verification and validation of GNC flight software using simulations and HITL testing.
• Support launch, on-orbit operations, and upgrades to GNC stack and simulations.
• Contribute to building the GNC team through recruiting, hiring, and mentoring.

Requirements

• U.S. Person status required for ITAR compliance.
• Experience with GNC actuator/sensor sizing, selection, and system design.
• Experience implementing attitude control/estimation algorithms on spacecraft.
• Experience with verification/validation of GNC software in integrated environments.
• Proficiency in Python, Julia, C/C++, or Matlab for algorithm development and simulation.
• Experience with control algorithm development and early-stage spacecraft design.

Nice to have

• Experience with reaction wheels, control moment gyros, or thruster sizing/algorithms.
• Experience with navigation including Extended Kalman Filters.
• Experience with trajectory analysis, modeling, and mission design.
• Experience with Rust software development.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits: paid time off, medical/dental/vision, life insurance, paid parental leave.
• Fast-paced startup environment focused on groundbreaking space missions.
• Equity in the company.
• Encourages non-traditional career paths and motivated individuals.