GNC Engineer

IQUASAR LLC; Blanco (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

IQUASAR LLC is looking for a GNC Engineer based in Cedar Park, TX. Your role will involve designing and optimizing trajectories and guidance algorithms for launch vehicles. You will work on developing ascent trajectories, support mission conception, and provide technical leadership.

The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of experience in trajectory design, knowledge of launch vehicle dynamics, and strong communication skills. This position requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in launch vehicle trajectory design, mission planning, or guidance algorithm development.
• Strong understanding of numerical optimization and targeting methods applied to trajectory simulation and mission design.
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, data analysis, and automation.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and optimize launch vehicle trajectories to maximize performance within operational and vehicle constraints.
• Develop and implement launch vehicle guidance algorithms for powered ascent and orbital insertion.
• Mentor junior engineers in trajectory optimization and mission design.

Skills

Trajectory design

Numerical optimization

Python scripting

Communication skills

Launch vehicle flight mechanics

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field

Tools

POST

OTIS

TAOS

Job description

We are seeking a GNC Engineer to help support a contract in Cedar Park, TX. The chosen candidate will design and optimize trajectories and guidance algorithms for operational launch vehicles. In this role, you will develop powered ascent trajectories and guidance algorithms, support new mission conception and performance analysis, and provide technical leadership while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. This position combines launch vehicle dynamics, numerical optimization techniques, and hands‑on flight operations support while mentoring junior engineers in a fast‑paced operational environment.

Key Duties

• Design, analyze, and optimize launch vehicle trajectories to maximize performance within operational and vehicle constraints.
• Develop and implement launch vehicle guidance algorithms for powered ascent and orbital insertion.
• Conduct statistical trajectory analysis to quantify performance margins and validate system robustness to off‑nominal flight conditions.
• Establish technical standards and validation methodologies for mission planning, trajectory design, and guidance algorithm verification.
• Support business development activities including mission feasibility assessments, payload performance analysis, and customer mission concept development.
• Develop mission analysis tools and automation pipelines to enable responsive design iteration.
• Drive resolution of complex GNC challenges requiring deep technical expertise and rapid problem‑solving.
• Provide technical direction on system architecture and serve as subject matter expert for launch vehicle trajectories.
• Mentor junior engineers in trajectory optimization and mission design.
• Author technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate GNC concepts and results to diverse audiences.
• Interface with cross‑discipline teams to balance trajectory requirements with vehicle capabilities and operational constraints.
• Serve as a GNC console operator for launch operations and perform post‑flight analysis to improve vehicle models.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes, tools, and operational efficiency.

Required Skills, Experience, and Education

• Due to facility security requirements, only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for consideration at this time.
• 5-10 years of experience in launch vehicle trajectory design, mission planning, or guidance algorithm development.
• Advanced knowledge of launch vehicle flight mechanics and high‑fidelity modeling of gravity, aerodynamics, and propulsion.
• Strong understanding of numerical optimization and targeting methods applied to trajectory simulation and mission design.
• Experience conducting mission trade studies, feasibility analysis, and performance verification for launch vehicle missions.
• Familiarity with software development best practices including version control (Git), code documentation, and testing.
• Strong proficiency in one or more trajectory design software tools (POST, OTIS, TAOS, or similar).
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, data analysis, and automation.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field.

Desired Skills, Experience, and Education

• Master's degree or PhD in aerospace engineering or related field.
• Experience designing and analyzing trajectories for operational launch vehicles from preliminary design to flight.
• Expertise in guidance algorithm design including explicit, implicit, and iterative methods.
• Operational experience resolving range safety constraints during mission design and securing flight approval for launches.
• Advanced knowledge of state estimation techniques including Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, and covariance analysis.
• Advanced knowledge of attitude dynamics and control theory, including rotational dynamics, attitude representations, control moment generation, and stability analysis.
• Experience creating automation tools that accelerate trajectory design and mission analysis.
• Software engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control, code review, testing, documentation, and CI/CD workflows.
• Expertise in real‑time software development using C++ for flight‑critical applications.
• Working knowledge of launch vehicle systems and mission operations.
• Proven ability to develop junior engineers while managing technical responsibilities.
• Track record of thought leadership through publications, presentations, or contributions to industry state‑of‑the‑art.