GNC / Controls Software Engineer – Hypersonic Vehicles

Aurex; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurex in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Senior GNC/Controls Software Engineer to design, implement, and validate GNC software for hypersonic applications. You will work on guidance, navigation, and control algorithms and real-time embedded software in C/C++, focusing on closed-loop performance.

The role requires MATLAB/Simulink proficiency, model-based development, and participation in test planning, SIL/PIL/HIL testing, and collaboration with aerodynamics, propulsion, and structures teams.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret Clearance.
• On-site work at Huntsville, AL.
• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in relevant engineering with professional experience.
• 3-7 years of GNC or flight controls software experience.
• Experience developing real-time embedded software for safety-critical systems.
• Advanced proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink for modeling, control design, and simulation.
• Strong knowledge of classical and modern control theory and Kalman filtering.
• Understanding hypersonic vehicle dynamics and related modeling challenges.
• Excellent problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement guidance laws, navigation filters, and flight control algorithms for hypersonic vehicles.
• Develop and optimize real-time embedded flight control software in C/C++ for safety-critical systems.
• Create and maintain high-fidelity 6-DOF vehicle dynamics models and closed-loop simulations in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Perform linear and nonlinear stability analysis, robustness assessments, and Monte Carlo dispersion studies.
• Conduct software-in-the-loop (SIL), processor-in-the-loop (PIL), and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to verify GNC performance.
• Integrate and tune multi-sensor navigation solutions for accurate state estimation.
• Optimize control system performance for stability, tracking accuracy, and disturbance rejection under uncertainties.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless GNC integration.
• Support flight test planning, data analysis, and post-flight reconstruction.

Skills

GNC algorithm development

Flight controls software

MATLAB/Simulink

Real-time embedded software

Kalman filtering

Trajectory optimization

Hypersonic dynamics

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

C/C++

MATLAB/Simulink

DO-178C

Job description

Who We Are

Aurex is a mission-focused aerospace and defense company building the next frontier of deterrence. From hypersonics and missile defense to hardened networks and orbital systems, we design, test, and deliver the platforms that turn unproven ideas into battlefield-ready capability.

Huntsville, AL

Aurex is a mission-focused aerospace and defense company building the next frontier of deterrence. From hypersonics and missile defense to hardened networks and orbital systems, we design, test, and deliver the platforms that turn unproven ideas into battlefield-ready capability.

Born in Huntsville and built for speed, Aurex brings together aerospace veterans, combat-tested operators, and forward-leaning technologists to solve problems that matter-fast. We move from whiteboard to warfighter with precision, clarity, and zero tolerance for fluff.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Senior GNC / Controls Software Engineer with extensive experience in developing guidance, navigation, and control algorithms and real-time flight software for high-speed aerospace vehicles. The ideal candidate will design, implement, and validate GNC software and control systems for hypersonic applications, ensuring performance, stability, and reliability under extreme flight conditions. Proficiency in simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink and real-time software development in C/C++ is required, with a primary focus on closed-loop GNC performance, robustness analysis, and flight software integration.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement guidance laws, navigation filters, and flight control algorithms for hypersonic vehicles.
• Develop and optimize real-time embedded flight control software in C/C++ (or equivalent) for safety-critical systems.
• Create and maintain high-fidelity 6-DOF vehicle dynamics models and closed-loop simulations in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Perform linear and nonlinear stability analysis, robustness assessments, and Monte Carlo dispersion studies across the hypersonic flight envelope.
• Conduct software-in-the-loop (SIL), processor-in-the-loop (PIL), and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to verify GNC performance.
• Integrate and tune multi-sensor navigation solutions (INS/GPS and additional aiding sensors) for accurate state estimation.
• Optimize control system performance for stability, tracking accuracy, and disturbance rejection under thermal, structural, and atmospheric uncertainties.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and systems engineers, to ensure seamless GNC integration.
• Support flight test planning, data analysis, and post-flight reconstruction, iterating designs based on test results.

Basic Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret Clearance
• Work in person at our corporate headquarters in Huntsville, AL.
• One of the following:
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with relevant industry experience
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a relevant field with experience applying knowledge to real-world systems
• 3-7 years of industry experience in GNC algorithm development and/or flight controls software for aerospace vehicles.
• Experience developing real-time embedded software for flight or safety-critical systems.
• Advanced proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink for modeling, control design, and simulation.
• Strong knowledge of classical and modern control theory, estimation techniques (e.g., Kalman filtering), and trajectory optimization.
• Understanding of hypersonic vehicle dynamics, aero-thermodynamics, and associated modeling challenges.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to interpret complex simulation and flight test results.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary aerospace teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with hypersonic, high-Mach, or reentry vehicle GNC systems.
• Familiarity with adaptive, robust, or model-predictive control techniques.
• Experience with DO-178C or equivalent software certification processes.
• Knowledge of multi-sensor fusion and advanced navigation architectures.
• Experience supporting flight test campaigns or hardware-in-the-loop facilities.
• Background in autonomous guidance or terminal guidance algorithms.

How You Will Be Rewarded

The salary range for this role is $140,000 - $160,000.00 per year. We offer a comprehensive total rewards approach to compensation, providing incentives and benefits that extend far beyond the base salary. Compensation is determined by the candidate’s work experience, education, training, and relevant skills. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' health, well-being, and professional growth.

Location

Huntsville, AL

Aurex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It prohibits discrimination, retaliation, or any type of harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, citizenship, immigration status, or any other legally protected status in employment, including in hiring, firing, and recruiting decisions.

All applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States for positions at Aurex. There may be limited circumstances in which a law, regulation, executive order, or government contract would require certain citizenship; only in those limited circumstances would Aurex require certain citizenship status to comply with the relevant law, regulation, executive order, or government contract applicable to that position. For all other positions, Aurex does not consider an applicant’s citizenship but only requires that the applicant be authorized to work lawfully in the United States.

If a position is one that falls under export control laws and regulations requiring authorization from the U.S. government to access export-controlled items, any hiring is contingent on the applicant passing the export compliance assessment, which is separate from the I-9 process, for that specific position.

A background check will be required prior to any hire.

Elevate your career by joining the Aurex Platform, a leader in aerospace innovation