GN&C Engineer: Autonomous Spacecraft Navigation

Craig-Technologies; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Craig Technologies is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GN&C) Engineer to join our team in Houston, TX and Merritt Island, FL. The role focuses on the design, development, and testing of GN&C for the Lunar Data Network spacecraft, including real-time flight software and autonomous fault-tolerant logic.

You will develop GN&C flight software in C/C++, participate in HWIL/SWIL testing, run high-fidelity simulations, and collaborate with hardware and mission operations teams to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering with 3–5 years of experience.
• Experience writing flight or simulation software in C, C++, Python.
• Proven EKF or sequential filter development for state estimation.
• Familiarity with GN&C hardware (IMUs, Star Trackers, Reaction Wheels, Thrusters).
• Experience with relative navigation, OpNav, or feature detection for lunar environments.
• Knowledge of spacecraft rigid-body dynamics and orbital mechanics (cislunar).
• Experience with SWIL/HWIL testbeds for sensor integration.
• Experience with JIRA, Git and Agile methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Design, architecture development and verification of GN&C for the LDN spacecraft constellation.
• Develop, test, and peer‑review GN&C flight software and control algorithms in C/C++.
• Support selection and integration of deep-space GN&C sensors and effector systems.
• Run 6‑DOF simulations and Monte Carlo profiles for on‑orbit performance.
• Assist GN&C HWIL/SWIL integration and testing.
• Document architectures, design trades, and simulation results.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering teams across software, hardware and operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Technical documentation

Independent work

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering

Tools

JIRA

Git

Agile

Job description

Craig Technologies is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GN&C) Engineer to join our team in Houston, TX and Merritt Island, FL. The role focuses on the design, development, and testing of GN&C for the Lunar Data Network spacecraft, including real-time flight software and autonomous fault-tolerant logic.

You will develop GN&C flight software in C/C++, participate in HWIL/SWIL testing, run high-fidelity simulations, and collaborate with hardware and mission operations teams to ensure