Autonomy Engineer, GNC (Aerospace Engineer)

Redwire Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Redwire Space seeks a seasoned GNC software engineer to lead development of guidance, navigation and control for advanced spacecraft programs. You will build and integrate GNC subsystems and software-defined autonomy across multiple orbital regimes, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams.

You will design flight software, create high‑fidelity 6‑DOF simulations, and validate through SIL/HIL environments while supporting on‑orbit commissioning and mission operations.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional software engineering experience focused on Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC).
• Strong foundation in Aerospace, Dynamics & Controls, Computer Science, Physics, or related disciplines.
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C++, and Linux-based development workflows.
• Experience building or debugging simulations or flight‑software components; ability to navigate complex system requirements.
• Background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, estimation, and control theory.
• Familiarity with rendezvous/proximity operations, docking, propulsive maneuvering, and resident space object tracking concepts.
• U.S. Person eligible to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Build and integrate GNC subsystems across orbital regimes with spacecraft bus providers and internal teams.
• Develop software-defined autonomy for precise maneuvering, safe navigation and robust mission execution.
• Design flight-software algorithms and high-fidelity 6-DOF simulation environments supporting SIL, HIL, and mission analysis.
• Develop and execute validation plans for ground checkout, on-orbit commissioning, and operations; support launch campaigns.
• Expand sensor-fusion and estimation frameworks (EKF, UKF) for AOD/AOE and refine control laws for stability and performance.
• Conduct trade studies for GNC components and recommend optimal configurations.
• Provide Monte Carlo analysis and hardware-in-the-loop testing to validate behavior across nominal/off-nominal scenarios.
• Define GNC requirements, interfaces, and verification plans with avionics, propulsion, mission ops, and flight software teams.
• Collaborate with operators and mission partners to translate needs into high-performance GNC features.
• Support on-orbit commissioning, calibration, maneuver planning, anomaly resolution and automated fault-response logic development.

Skills

GNC engineering

Orbital mechanics

Spacecraft dynamics

Estimation / state estimation

Control theory

Software engineering

GNC systems design

Matlab/Simulink

Python

C++

Linux development

TS/SCI eligibility

Education

Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C++

Linux

Job description

Redwire is an innovative space and defense technology company driving advanced capabilities across the aerospace sector. We are looking for a leader who can contribute to concept of operations development, mission solution design, and strategic analysis for spacecraft programs supporting National Security Space. This includes work spanning space domain awareness, space resiliency, mission autonomy, structures, sensors, and next‑generation space systems.

What You’ll Do

• Build and integrate GNC software and hardware subsystems across all orbital regimes, collaborating closely with spacecraft bus providers and internal engineering teams.
• Develop software‑defined autonomy that enables precise maneuvering, safe navigation, and robust mission execution.
• Design flight‑software algorithms and create high‑fidelity 6‑DOF simulation environments supporting SIL, HIL, and advanced mission analysis.
• Develop and execute validation plans for ground checkout, on‑orbit commissioning, and operational phases; support launch campaigns and real‑time mission operations.
• Expand and apply sensor‑fusion and estimation frameworks (EKF, UKF, batch least‑squares) for AOD/AOE, and refine control laws to meet stability, performance, and robustness requirements.
• Conduct trade studies for key GNC components—reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, sun sensors, IMUs, GNSS, and RF/optical navigation sensors—and recommend optimal configurations.
• Provide Monte Carlo analysis and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing capabilities to validate behavior across nominal and off‑nominal scenarios.
• Define GNC requirements, interfaces, and verification plans alongside avionics, propulsion, mission operations, systems engineering, and flight software teams.
• Collaborate directly with operators and mission partners to translate mission needs into practical, high-performance GNC features.
• Support on‑orbit commissioning, calibration, maneuver planning, anomaly resolution, and automated fault‑response logic development.

Ideal Experience

• 2+ years of professional software engineering experience focused on Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), designing and delivering core systems.
• Strong engineering foundation in Aerospace, Dynamics & Controls, Computer Science, Physics, or related disciplines.
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C++, and Linux-based development workflows.
• Experience building and debugging simulations or flight‑software components; ability to navigate complex system requirements.
• Background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, estimation, and control theory.
• Familiarity with rendezvous/proximity operations, docking, propulsive maneuvering, and resident space object (RSO) tracking concepts.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to document clearly and collaborate across disciplines.
• U.S. Person eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS/SCI) security clearance.

Desired Experience

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with closed‑loop control, orbital maneuvering, filtering/state estimation, fault management, or mission‑software development.
• Hands‑on spacecraft operations experience, including real‑time decision‑making on console.
• Development of 3‑DOF and 6‑DOF high‑fidelity dynamics models for GNC analysis and validation.
• Experience validating systems using FlatSats, HIL testbeds, and digital spacecraft simulators across nominal and off‑nominal scenarios.
• Background in propulsion subsystem testing or environmental lab setups reflecting space conditions.
• Familiarity with line‑of‑sight performance analysis (jitter, smear, pointing accuracy).
• Experience using computer‑vision/perception algorithms in support of GNC (e.g., feature tracking).
• Understanding of U.S. satellite operations policy and mission constraints across orbital regimes.
• Ability to maintain TS//SCI clearance.

Pay range $96,000 - $130,000 per year

Redwire Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with MIS is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

All offers of employment at Redwire Space are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the Click Here

EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

This position may require access to information, materials, or technology subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). To comply with these regulations, applicants may be asked to provide documentation to verify their status as a "U.S. person" as defined under the ITAR and EAR, or their eligibility to obtain any required U.S. Government export authorization. Redwire complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act, and does not discriminate on the basis of citizenship status or national origin except as required by law.