GN&C Automation Engineer

Relative Dynamics; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life/Disability

401(k) with match

PTO

Company holidays

Community engagement

Job summary

Relative Dynamics in Houston, TX is seeking a GN&C Automation Engineer to design, develop, and test GNC systems for lunar missions, blending software and hardware expertise in a hybrid role.

You will work on real-time flight software in C/C++, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to sensor integration, HWIL testing, and simulations to ensure safe, reliable spaceflight performance.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field with 3–7 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with real-time software development.
• Familiarity with GN&C hardware including IMU, Star Trackers, GPS, LIDAR, and/or OpNav systems.
• Experience with SWIL and/or HWIL testing and integration.
• Exposure to relative navigation, image processing, or feature detection techniques.
• Experience supporting flight control analysis and evaluating vehicle performance and stability.
• Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Python.
• Experience with GN&C sensor testing, planning, or modeling.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Foundational knowledge of spacecraft dynamics and orbital mechanics.
• Experience with JIRA and Agile development processes.
• Familiarity with VxWorks or other real-time operating systems is a plus.
• Experience with Git version control preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and documentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, development, and testing of the GNC system for a lunar spacecraft, which will provide navigation and communications services to lunar users.
• Support real-time GNC flight software development, flight control automation, HWIL sensor and effector integration, performance analysis, and testing.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across software and hardware systems
• Develop, test, and peer review GNC flight software in C and C++
• Support the selection, assessment, and integration of GNC sensors and effector systems
• Execute and analyze 6-DOF simulations to evaluate expected on-orbit performance
• Support navigation HWIL sensor and effector integration and testing for a lunar satellite mission
• Assist in real-time flight software development, integration, and testing for a lunar satellite mission

Skills

Real-time software development

C/C++

Python

GN&C hardware

JIRA & Agile

Git version control

HWIL testing

Team collaboration

Education

BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

JIRA

Git

VxWorks

Python

Job description

Career Opportunities with Relative Dynamics

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At Relative Dynamics we value knowledge as a process rather than knowledge as an answer. Founded in 2011 our goal is to define the new space era by continuously pushing the boundaries of engineering services and technology development. Visit us at www.relativedynamics.space.

Relative Dynamics is a subcontractor supporting a Commercial Space contract. In this role, you will be employed by Relative Dynamics and assigned to work on projects in support of a Commercial Space project.

Relative Dynamics is seeking a GN&C Automation Engineer to support the lunar mission portfolio for a Commercial Space customer. This is a hybrid role requiring regular on-site work in either Houston, TX or Glen Burnie, MD. This role is not eligible for remote work.

What You’ll Get to Do:

• Contribute to the design, development, and testing of the GNC system for a lunar spacecraft, which will provide navigation and communications services to lunar users.
• Support real-time GNC flight software development, flight control automation, HWIL sensor and effector integration, performance analysis, and testing.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across software and hardware systems
• Develop, test, and peer review GNC flight software in C and C++
• Support the selection, assessment, and integration of GNC sensors and effector systems
• Execute and analyze 6-DOF simulations to evaluate expected on-orbit performance
• Support navigation HWIL sensor and effector integration and testing for a lunar satellite mission
• Assist in real-time flight software development, integration, and testing for a lunar satellite mission

Required Skills & Experience

• BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field with 3-7 years of relevant experience
• Experience with real-time software development
• Familiarity with GN&C hardware including IMU, Star Trackers, GPS, LIDAR, and/or OpNav systems
• Experience with SWIL and/or HWIL testing and integration
• Exposure to relative navigation, image processing, or feature detection techniques
• Experience supporting flight control analysis and evaluating vehicle performance and stability
• Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Python
• Experience with GN&C sensor testing, planning, or modeling
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment
• Foundational knowledge of spacecraft dynamics and orbital mechanics
• Experience with JIRA and Agile development processes
• Familiarity with VxWorks or other real-time operating systems is a plus
• Experience with Git version control preferred
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and documentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Hands-on experience with navigation sensor hardware, Kalman filtering, LIDAR, real-time software, Monte Carlo analysis, and C/C++ or Python
• Experience contributing to GNC development efforts on spacecraft or satellite programs
• Prior experience working with or supporting satellite systems

Who You Are:

• Effective communicator who can translate complex technical concepts across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders
• Customer-focused, with the ability to support government and agency partners while maintaining high service standards
• Dependable and accountable, consistently meeting commitments in regulated and deadline-driven environments
• Productive and results-oriented, balancing quality, efficiency, and innovation across projects
• Collaborative team player who contributes to shared goals and overall organizational success

What You'll Enjoy:

Grow your career with mobility, continuous learning, tuition reimbursement, and a personal development program in a culture that rewards innovation and impact

Join a high-performing team that works together on meaningful, mission-driven work and support each other.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life/disability coverage
• 401(k) with match
• PTO
• company holidays
• community engagement opportunities

Relative Dynamics conducts a comprehensive background check that includes drug testing. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.