GNC Engineer

Stoke Space; Delaware; On-site; USD 110,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Job summary

Stoke Space is seeking a core GNC engineer to own algorithms for guidance, navigation, and control of Nova's launch vehicle. You will work on propulsion and vehicle dynamics, partnering with hardware teams to define interfaces and validation plans.

You will lead regression testing, Monte Carlo simulations, and regulatory documentation while collaborating with cross‑functional teams to ensure safe and reliable flight operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in aerospace engineering or similar field.
• Strong fundamentals of feedback control system design.
• Familiar with orbital mechanics and trajectory design.
• Experience in guidance, navigation, and control algorithm design.
• Experience with simulation and modeling of physical systems.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to lead and follow.

Responsibilities

• Develop software for vehicle guidance, attitude control, engine control and state estimation.
• Develop and validate vehicle and environment models to test GNC performance.
• Ensure system quality and performance with rigorous testing.
• Conduct Monte Carlo analyses for nominal and failure cases.
• Document GNC algorithms and models for regulatory and customer insight.
• Oversee new trajectory designs from conception through flight.

Skills

Feedback control

Orbital mechanics

GNC algorithm design

Simulation & modeling

MATLAB/Simulink

Written & verbal comms

Leadership & teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or similar

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

At Stoke, we believe a thriving space economy will enable a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable future here on Earth. That is why we’re building Nova, our fully and rapidly reusable launch vehicle. Designed for daily flight, Nova tackles the core challenges of space transportation by reducing cost, increasing availability, and improving reliability. By radically lowering launch costs and increasing flight cadence, we’re helping create a truly scalable space industry.

Our team is mission-driven, collaborative, and empowered to take ownership of their work. If you want to work alongside some of the most dedicated and talented people on Earth, we’d love to have you join us.

Description

As a core member of a small and agile GNC team, you will work on all aspects of launch vehicle and spacecraft dynamics and control including launch into orbit, maneuvering through orbit, and reentry from orbit to a precise landing location. You will own GNC algorithms and trajectory designs from early architecture definition through rigorous qualification test and flight operations. You will work closely with the vehicle hardware design team to develop vehicle control devices and set system-level interfaces. You must be ready to stay focused, move fast, self-direct, and learn on the fly.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop software capabilities such as algorithms for vehicle guidance, attitude control, engine control, and state estimation
• Develop andvalidatevehicle and environment models to simulate GNC algorithm performance and robustness
• Ensure system quality and performance through rigorous test
• Conduct Monte Carlo analysis of nominal and failure casesto evaluate vehicle performance and flight safety
• Document GNC algorithm and plant model verification and validation forregulatory approvaland customer mission assurance insight
• Oversee new customer trajectory designs and mission capabilities from conception through flight

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or similar
• Exceptional command of fundamentals of feedback control system design
• Familiarity with fundamentals of orbital mechanics and orbital trajectory design
• Experience in guidance, navigation, and control algorithm design and validation
• Experience with simulation and modeling of physical systems
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to lead and follow

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering or similar.

Benefits

• Equity – We are pleased to offer equity in the form of stock options to all full-time employees.
• Comprehensive benefits program including subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• 4 weeks’ Paid Time Off
• Holidays – 10 days (including an end-of-year closure)
• Paid Parental Leave
• On-site gym or monthly wellness stipend (depending on location)
• Dog friendly offices!

Compensation

Target Levels:

Level 2: $109,725 - $148,470
Level 3: $129,150 - $193,620

Our job posts are intentionally written to attract a wide variety of experience levels, and we make decisions about the right fit on a per-candidate basis.

Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including with respect to disability and veteran status. It is committed to compliance with all equal opportunity laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Title VII. It does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, race, citizenship, immigration status, or any other protected class when it comes to employment practices, including hiring.

Employment at the Company is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference and background checks, and on your ability to prove your identity and authorization to work in the U.S. for the Company. Employees must comply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services employment verification requirements, and, therefore, they must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 at the start of employment and re-verify authorization to work periodically.

Separate from this I-9 process, this position entails access to certain technology and technical data that is restricted under U.S. export control laws and regulations. Employment or continued employment may be conditioned on your legal authorization to work with or have access to export control materials as necessary to perform your job.

Candidate Rights & Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or participate in the interview process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests will be handled in accordance with applicable laws. Please do not include medical or other confidential information in your initial request.

For more information about your rights, please refer to the "Know Your Rights" notice here.

E-Verify

Stoke Space uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

For more information on the right to work, please refer to the poster here.