Senior GNC Engineer – Navigation

Cambridge Aerospace; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Private Medical & Dental

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Cambridge Aerospace is seeking a Senior GNC Engineer to own navigation for a high‑speed interceptor, guiding it from concept through integration, sensor fusion, and flight test. You will define the navigation architecture, develop robust state‑estimation solutions for contested environments, and shape system performance across demanding flight regimes, working within a fast‑paced, mission‑driven team.

Responsibilities span trade studies, algorithm development, sensor modelling, and verification

Qualifications

• GNC experience with ownership of a workstream in missiles/rockets/high-speed aircraft.
• Deep knowledge of inertial navigation, observability, sensor error modelling, alignment and calibration.
• Experience delivering navigation solutions for degraded, spoofed, or GNSS-denied environments.
• Experience taking GNC from concept to integration and test with design assurance processes.
• Strong MATLAB/Simulink skills and working knowledge of Python/C/C++.

Responsibilities

• Shape the interceptor concept through navigation trade studies influencing system architecture, sensor selection and interceptor performance.
• Own navigation architecture and algorithm development from concept through flight test.
• Characterize sensor error models and implement calibration, alignment and fault‑detection logic.
• Develop and tune state-estimation and sensor-fusion algorithms for guidance and control in high-dynamic flight.
• Plan and support navigation simulation campaigns, ground tests, and flight trials.

Skills

GNC ownership

Inertial navigation

State estimation

Sensor fusion

Navigation algorithm design

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Job description

Job Location: Can be considered for Cambridge OR Munich

Overview

We are looking for a Senior GNC Engineer to own navigation for a new interceptor from early concept through sensor integration, real-time implementation, and flight test. You will define the navigation architecture and develop robust solutions for contested environments. Your work will influence systems design and interceptor performance across demanding flight regimes.

Responsibilities

• Shape the interceptor concept through navigation trade studies influencing system architecture, sensor selection and overall interceptor performance
• Own navigation architecture and algorithm development from concept through flight test
• Characterize sensor error models and implement calibration, alignment and fault‑detection logic
• Develop and tune state-estimation and sensor-fusion algorithms for guidance and control in high-dynamic flight
• Plan and support navigation simulation campaigns, ground tests, and flight trials

Requirements

• GNC experience in missiles, rockets or high-speed aircraft, including evidence of technical ownership for a GNC workstream
• Deep understanding of inertial navigation, observability, sensor error modelling, alignment and calibration
• Experience developing navigation solutions for degraded, spoofed or GNSS-denied environments
• Experience taking GNC work from concept into integration and test incorporating design assurance processes
• Strong MATLAB/Simulink skills and working knowledge of Python, C/C++, or similar

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Experience in fast-paced R&D or startup environments, with rapid prototype iteration times

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and stock options
• Private Medical & Dental
• Cycle to work scheme

About Us

The mission of Cambridge Aerospace is to eliminate the risk of existential war in Europe. That risk comes from the air – low-cost drones and cruise missiles now manufactured in colossal volumes by our adversaries, ballistic missiles capable of ending the world as we know it, and a new generation of hypersonic weapons that evade every existing defence.

We’re building low-cost interceptors that defeat these threats, and the surveillance systems to detect and target them – at a cost taxpayers can afford, at the pace the threat demands, and with sovereign supply chains that assure delivery.

We have immense backing from the world’s best venture funds. We’re one of the fastest growing defence technology companies in history. And we’re hiring the best engineers to prosecute the mission.

If you are in the top 1%, willing to work harder than you ever have, build technology better than anyone else, and contribute to the defining challenge of our time, now is the time to join us.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.