GNC Engineer

Oho Group; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Oho Group is seeking a Flight Dynamics & GNC Engineer to own trajectory planning, guidance algorithms, and 6-DOF simulation frameworks for orbit maneuvers. You will work closely with avionics and software teams to translate theory into flight-ready code.

Responsibilities include real-time guidance design, Monte Carlo validation, and HITL testing on hardware before missions, with Python for analysis and C++/Rust for production flight software.

Qualifications

• Experience in GNC, flight dynamics, or trajectory optimization for aerospace/defense vehicles.
• Strong grasp of rigid/flexible-body dynamics, optimal control, and state estimation.
• End-to-end validation from simulation to HITL testing or flight operations.
• Proficiency in Python for simulation/analysis and C++ or Rust for flight code.

Responsibilities

• Design real-time guidance and trajectory optimization for precise maneuvering.
• Develop 6-DOF simulations and Monte Carlo validation under uncertainty.
• Translate algorithms into flight-ready code (Python/C++/Rust) with avionics teams.
• Lead HITL validation on hardware ahead of flight missions.

Skills

GNC

Flight dynamics

Trajectory optimization

Astrodynamics

Flight controls

First-principles modeling

Validation

Python

C++/Rust

Tools

Python

C++

Rust

Job description

We are partnering with a well-backed space technology company developing a novel, agile spacecraft platform. We are looking for a Flight Dynamics & GNC Engineer to own the trajectory planning, guidance algorithms, and 6-DOF simulation frameworks that dictate how our vehicles maneuver and perform in orbit.

What You'll Own

• Trajectory & Guidance Design: Develop real-time guidance, trajectory optimization, and closed-loop attitude/orbit control algorithms for precision maneuvering.
• High-Fidelity 6-DOF Simulation: Build and own physics-based vehicle dynamics models from first principles, running Monte Carlo campaigns to validate performance under uncertainty.
• Flight Software Integration: Translate prototype algorithms (Python/MATLAB) into deterministic, flight-ready code (C++ / Rust) alongside avionics engineers.
• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) Validation: Verify control performance on real avionics hardware ahead of upcoming flight missions.

What We're Looking For

• Relevant Engineering Background: Experience in GNC, flight dynamics, trajectory optimization, astrodynamics, or flight controls for aerospace or defense vehicles.
• First-Principles Modeling: Strong grasp of rigid/flexible-body dynamics, optimal control, state estimation, and numerical optimization.
• End-to-End Validation: Hands-on experience taking control or guidance algorithms from simulation through to HITL testing, flight test, or live operations.
• Software Fluency: Strong programming skills in Python for simulation/analysis, plus C++ or Rust (or the desire to write production flight code).

Bonus Points For

• Experience with launch vehicle ascent/re-entry guidance, aircraft flight controls, or spacecraft orbital maneuvers.

Why Join?

• Full-Lifecycle Ownership: Move away from siloed prime-contractor work—own your algorithms from initial equations through to flight software and in-orbit commissioning.
• Fast Path to Orbit: Work in a lean, high-velocity engineering environment where your code flies on real spacecraft, not multi-year paper studies.
• Cross-Domain Pivot: One of the few opportunities to leverage launch or atmospheric flight dynamics expertise directly in commercial spaceflight.