GNC Engineer

Sky Limit Systems; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sky Limit Systems is seeking a Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Engineer for onsite work in Houston, TX to advance real-time flight software, navigation algorithms, and 6-DOF spacecraft simulations.

You will develop in C/C++, apply Kalman filters, and perform SWIL/HIL testing, collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate sensors and ensure robust GNC performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or related field.
• 3–7 years of GNC engineering experience in aerospace/satellite systems.
• Experience developing navigation algorithms and Kalman filters.
• Proficiency in C, C++, and Python for flight software development, simulation, or analysis.
• Hands-on SWIL and/or HIL/HWIL testing experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate GNC algorithms and flight software for spacecraft and satellite applications.
• Develop and test real-time flight software using C and C++.
• Perform 6-DOF simulations to analyze spacecraft performance, stability, and control behavior.
• Support integration and testing of navigation sensors (IMUs, star trackers, GPS, LIDAR, optical nav).
• Conduct SWIL and HIL/HWIL testing to verify GNC functionality.
• Develop and evaluate navigation algorithms, including Kalman filters and state estimation.
• Collaborate with flight software, avionics, and systems engineering teams for spacecraft integration.
• Troubleshoot GNC software and hardware issues during development and testing.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Kalman filtering

GNC testing

6-DOF sims

SWIL testing

HIL testing

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace/Electrical/Mechanical

Tools

VxWorks

SWIL environments

HIL environments

Job description

Spacecraft & Satellite Systems | Flight Software | GNC Integration & Testing

Onsite Position - Houston, TX

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Engineer to support the development of advanced spacecraft and satellite systems. This position will focus on real-time GNC flight software, navigation algorithms, spacecraft simulations, and hardware/software integration and testing. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience with C/C++, Kalman filtering, 6-DOF simulations, and Software-in-the-Loop (SWIL) or Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL/HWIL) testing, along with a strong understanding of spacecraft dynamics and navigation systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate GNC algorithms and flight software for spacecraft and satellite applications.
• Develop and test real-time flight software using C and C++.
• Perform 6-DOF simulations to analyze spacecraft performance, stability, and control behavior.
• Support integration and testing of navigation sensors, including IMUs, star trackers, GPS, LIDAR, and optical navigation systems.
• Conduct Software-in-the-Loop (SWIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL/HWIL) testing to verify GNC functionality.
• Develop and evaluate navigation algorithms, including Kalman filters and state estimation techniques.
• Collaborate with flight software, avionics, and systems engineering teams to support spacecraft integration.
• Troubleshoot GNC software and hardware issues throughout development, integration, and testing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3–7 years of relevant GNC engineering experience, preferably within spacecraft, satellite, or aerospace systems.
• Experience developing navigation algorithms and implementing Kalman filters.
• Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Python for flight software development, simulation, or analysis.
• Hands‑on experience with SWIL and/or HIL/HWIL testing environments.
• Understanding of spacecraft dynamics, orbital mechanics, and flight control systems.
• Experience with GNC sensors, hardware integration, or navigation system testing.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting spacecraft or satellite GNC development programs.
• Experience with relative navigation, optical navigation, image processing, or feature detection.
• Familiarity with Monte Carlo analysis and 6-DOF simulation environments.
• Experience integrating and validating IMUs, star trackers, GPS, or LIDAR systems.
• Knowledge of real-time operating systems such as VxWorks.