GNC Engineer

Destinus; Zürich; On-site; CHF 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer to design and refine algorithms that enable autonomous flight in extreme conditions. You will shape guidance laws, develop navigation filters and control architectures for mission-critical UAV systems, and integrate GNC with simulation and flight-ready implementations.

You will document methodologies, validation results and verification evidence while collaborating with Systems Engineering, Simulation & Modelling, Flight Dynamics,

Qualifications

• MSc in Aerospace Engineering, Automation & Control Engineering, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience as GNC Engineer on flying systems (UAVs, rockets, missiles).
• Proven experience with GNC algorithm development.
• Proven coding experience: Python, Rust or C/C++.
• Experience with SIL and HIL simulations and verification processes.
• Strong technical writing skills and experience producing advanced engineering documentation.

Responsibilities

• Drive development of GNC algorithms including guidance laws, navigation filters and control architectures with high autonomy.
• Develop, maintain and extend GNC software for safety-critical applications from prototyping to flight-ready implementation.
• Implement and refine GNC models and algorithms including inertial navigation, target tracking and autopilot control loops.
• Build and integrate simulation and test utilities for SIL/HIL configurations.
• Define, decompose and manage GNC system and software requirements with full traceability.

Skills

GNC algorithm development

Python

C/C++

Python, Rust or C/C++

Technical writing

Education

MSc in Aerospace Engineering

Automation & Control Engineering

Tools

SIL

HIL

Job description

About the role

Imagine designing the intelligence that guides a system through extreme conditions with precision and reliability. As a Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer at Destinus, you will build and refine the algorithms that make autonomous flight systems think, adapt, and perform in real time. From shaping guidance laws to developing navigation filters and control architectures, your work directly impacts how advanced aerospace systems behave in mission critical scenarios.

At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission‑critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

What You´ll Do

• Drive the development of GNC algorithms, including guidance laws, navigation filters, and control architectures with a high level of autonomy.
• Develop, maintain, and extend GNC software solutions for safety‑critical applications, from early prototyping through to flight‑ready implementation.
• Implement and refine GNC models and algorithms, including inertial navigation, target tracking, autopilot control loops, seeker processing, and environmental compensation.
• Build and integrate simulation and test utilities to support SIL and HIL test configurations, enabling rigorous validation of GNC functionality across integration levels.
• Define, decompose, and manage GNC‑specific system and software requirements, ensuring full traceability from concept through verification.
• Generate clear, structured, and technically rigorous documentation, covering algorithm design, modelling assumptions, validation results, and verification evidence.
• Work cross‑functionally with Systems Engineering, Simulation & Modelling, Flight Dynamics, Software, and Hardware teams to ensure GNC algorithm performance and alignment with overall system needs.
• Participate in design and technical reviews, presenting GNC methodologies, performance outcomes, and known limitations.
• Support Simulation‑Modelling and Software teams by providing algorithm specifications, interface definitions, and GNC validation scenarios.
• Actively contribute to continuous improvement of internal GNC capabilities, tool chains, and algorithm development workflows.

What You’ll Need

• MSc in Aerospace Engineering, Automation & Control Engineering, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience as GNC Engineer on flying systems (UAVs, rockets, missiles).
• Proven experience with GNC algorithm development.
• Proven coding experience, preferred: Python, Rust or C/C++.
• Experience with SIL and HIL simulations and verification processes.
• Strong technical writing skills and experience producing advanced engineering documentation.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex technical topics clearly.
• Proactive attitude, good problem‑solving skills, and willingness to take ownership of GNC tasks and development.
• Fluency in English is a must.

Who You Are

You thrive in environments where precision meets speed and complexity is part of the daily game. You enjoy turning mathematical models into real‑world performance and you are not afraid to dive deep into both theory and code to make things work under pressure. You think analytically but act pragmatically, balancing innovation with reliability when it matters most. You take ownership of your work, pushing solutions until they are not just functional but robust and ready for real‑world deployment.