GNC / Controls Software Engineer Hypersonic Vehicles with Security Clearance

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

Job summary

Aurex, a Huntsville-based aerospace and defense company, seeks a Senior GNC / Controls Software Engineer to design and validate guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for hypersonic vehicles. You will develop and optimize real-time embedded flight software in C/C++ and build high-fidelity models in MATLAB/Simulink to ensure robust performance under extreme flight conditions.

The role requires DoD security clearance and collaboration with cross-disciplinary engineering teams, with

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret Clearance.
• Work in person at headquarters in Huntsville, AL.
• 3–7 years in GNC algorithm development or flight controls for aerospace.
• Experience in real-time embedded software for flight or safety-critical systems.
• Advanced MATLAB/Simulink proficiency for modeling, design, and simulation.
• Strong knowledge of classical/modern control, estimation (Kalman), and trajectory optimization.
• Understanding of hypersonic vehicle dynamics and aero-thermodynamics.
• Excellent problem-solving and ability to interpret simulations and flight-test results.
• Strong communication and teamwork with multidisciplinary aerospace teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement guidance laws, navigation filters, and flight control algorithms.
• Develop real-time embedded flight control software in C/C++ for safety-critical systems.
• Create high-fidelity 6-DOF dynamics models and closed-loop simulations in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Perform stability analysis, robustness assessments, and Monte Carlo studies.
• Conduct SIL, PIL, and HIL testing to verify GNC performance.
• Integrate and tune multi-sensor navigation solutions for accurate state estimation.
• Optimize control performance for stability 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

MATLAB/Simulink proficiency

Real-time control theory

Problem solving

Teamwork and communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/ Electrical/ Computer/ Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree or PhD in relevant field

Tools

C/C++ embedded software

SIL/PIL/HIL testing

Kalman filtering / estimation

Job description

GNC / Controls Software Engineer - Hypersonic Vehicles Huntsville, AL

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. 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.