Lead GNC Engineer

The Opportunity

As a Lead GNC Engineer, you will be the lead of the small team that develops the control, estimation, and guidance algorithms that fly our rockets. You’ll be deeply involved in all aspects of GNC, but will also work closely with all teams to ensure that the rocket is designed and tested to launch, fly, and deploy its payload to the target orbit.

How You'll Fulfill Your Mission

• Develop: create requirements, GNC algorithms, simulation models, and trajectories
• Test: build out test automation across all environments, including Simulink simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, engine test cells, and with integrated vehicles
• Partner: work with other teams to define critical interfaces, specify component/system requirements, and contribute to decisions that shape future vehicles
• Fly: support launch from mission control and fulfill GNC responsibilities during the countdown
• Analyze: use ground test and flight data to verify system performance and improve the fidelity of the simulation
• Ownership: end-to-end responsibility for large aspects of the GNC system

Why We Value You

• You have 8+ years of experience in aerospace vehicle GNC development and simulation
• You are a systems-based thinker that strives to globally optimize
• You bring expertise and a desire to lead a multidisciplinary team in prioritizing, planning, and execution
• You hold yourself, team members, and coworkers to a high level of accountability
• You have the ability to perform system-level integration and troubleshoot complex issues across subsystems
• You have a grounded intuition based on prior experience with control systems on real vehicles
• You have in-depth knowledge of sensor integration and data fusion techniques for navigation systems (e.g., IMUs, GPS, star trackers).
• You possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate ideas, give technical feedback, and mentor team members
• You have an advanced degree (Ph.D. /Masters) in engineering, physics, mathematics or equivalent
• You have experience with Simulink
• You’re excited to work in a fast-paced, self-driven, iterative startup environment, and to build the systems that enable frequent access to space

$143,000 - $187,000 a year

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base salary range in the San Francisco Bay Area and excludes additional earnings such as bonus and benefits. If your salary requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply.