GN&C Engineer

Moonshot Aerospace; Madison (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Moonshot Aerospace is seeking a Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to support spacecraft and planetary lander programs for civil and government customers. You will develop GN&C algorithms, build 6DOF simulations, and contribute to mission performance analyses.

The role requires depth in at least one GN&C subdiscipline, strong programming in C/C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink, and experience with high-fidelity simulations and flight software integration. US citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• BS in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, physics or related field.
• 5+ years GN&C experience with spacecraft/launch vehicle systems.
• Depth in at least one GN&C subdiscipline: navigation, guidance, or control.
• Experience with high-fidelity spacecraft simulations (3DOF/6DOF).
• Strong programming in C/C++, Python, MATLAB/Simulink.
• Experience with version control (Git or equivalent).
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Security clearance eligibility (US citizenship).

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze GN&C algorithms for spacecraft and lander applications.
• Build and execute 6DOF simulations for mission performance verification.
• Implement and validate state estimation or control laws.
• Develop sensor/actuator models for simulation environments.
• Perform Monte Carlo analysis and trade studies for performance.
• Support flight software integration, testing, and verification.
• Prepare technical documentation, customer deliverables, and program reviews.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and customers.

Skills

C/C++

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

6DOF simulation

state estimation

Monte Carlo analysis

flight software integration

documentation & reviews

Git

Education

BS in Aerospace Engineering

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

NASA Trick

HWIL testing

Kalman filter design tools

Job description

Moonshot Aerospace is seeking a Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to support spacecraft and planetary lander programs for commercial and government customers. Programs include the Human Landing System (HLS), Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), and other civil and commercial space efforts.

This position requires depth in at least one GN&C subdiscipline—navigation, guidance, or controls—combined with the ability to develop and maintain high-fidelity modeling and simulation environments for spacecraft and lander design. The engineer will contribute to algorithm development, 6DOF simulation, flight software integration, and mission performance analysis. Multiple experience levels are available, and responsibilities will scale with demonstrated capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze guidance, navigation, and/or control algorithms for spacecraft and lander applications

• Build, maintain, and execute 6DOF simulations and associated analysis tools for mission performance verification

• Implement and validate state estimation filters (EKF) or control laws depending on subdiscipline focus

• Develop sensor and actuator models for simulation environments (IMU, star tracker, LiDAR, reaction control systems)

• Perform Monte Carlo analysis and trade studies to characterize system performance under dispersed conditions

• Support flight software integration, testing, and verification

• Contribute to technical documentation, customer deliverables, and program reviews

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams and customer organizations

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field

• 5+ years of professional GN&C experience with spacecraft or launch vehicle systems

• Demonstrated depth in at least one GN&C subdiscipline: navigation and state estimation, guidance and trajectory design, or control system design and analysis

• Experience developing and executing high-fidelity spacecraft simulations (3DOF or 6DOF)

• Strong programming skills in C/C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink

• Experience with configuration management tools (Git or equivalent)

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field

• Lunar or planetary mission experience

• Experience with Kalman filter design and tuning for spacecraft applications

• Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), optical navigation, or multi-sensor fusion experience

• Rendezvous and proximity operations experience

• Hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing and integration

• Flight software development or real-time systems exposure

• Familiarity with NASA Trick simulation framework or equivalent

• Propulsion, slosh modeling, or flexible-body dynamics exposure

• Launch vehicle or satellite GN&C experience