Autonomy Engineer, GNC (Software Engineer)

Redwire; Chantilly (VA); Presencial; USD 140.000 - 210.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Redwire is seeking an Autonomy Engineer focusing on Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) to design and deliver core spacecraft systems for orientation, navigation, and maneuvering. You will work across the full lifecycle from algorithm design and simulation to hardware integration and mission operations to ensure reliability in all flight phases.

Ideal candidates will have a strong aerospace/controls background and experience with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C++, in Linux environments.

Formación

• Bachelor’s or higher in an engineering discipline with strong GNC foundations.
• Experience building or debugging simulations or flight-software components.
• Background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, estimation, and control theory.
• Security clearance: U.S. Person eligible to obtain/maintain TS/SCI.

Responsabilidades

• Build and integrate GNC software and hardware subsystems across orbital regimes.
• Develop software-defined autonomy for precise maneuvering and safe navigation.
• Design flight-software algorithms and 6-DOF simulation environments (SIL/HIL).
• Develop validation plans for ground checkout, on-orbit commissioning, and operations.
• Expand sensor fusion/estimation (EKF/UKF) for AOD/AOE; refine control laws.
• Conduct trade studies on GNC components and configurations.
• Provide Monte Carlo analysis and hardware-in-the-loop testing for nominal/off-nominal scenarios.
• Collaborate with avionics, propulsion, and operations teams on requirements and verification.

Conocimientos

GNC design

System integration

Analytical thinking

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C++

Linux

Communication

Educación

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Herramientas

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C++

Linux environment

Descripción del empleo

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

As an Autonomy Engineer focused on Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), you'll design and deliver the core systems that determine how our spacecraft orient, navigate, maneuver, and respond on orbit. You'll work across the full lifecycle—from algorithm design and simulation to hardware integration and mission operations—to ensure our vehicles perform reliably in every phase of flight.

In this role, you will:

• 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 Qualifications

• 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 Qualifications

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with