Gnc Engineer

Actalent; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Dental

Vision

HSA

401k

Sick pay

PTO

Holiday pay

Job summary

Actalent in Torrance, CA seeks a GNC Engineer to architect, implement, and validate flight-critical algorithms for autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations, formation flying, and precision maneuvering. The role requires deep control theory, state estimation, and hardware-in-the-loop experience with C/C++ and Python.

Minimum 5+ years in spacecraft or autonomous systems GNC, with a BS/MS in engineering and U.S. citizenship/ability to obtain TS/SCI.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and tune GNC algorithms for relative motion, formation flying, and autonomous RPO.
• Develop and validate attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) and orbit determination filters.
• Model and simulate orbital dynamics, spacecraft trajectories, and environmental disturbances.
• Perform state estimation and sensor fusion using IMUs, GPS, star trackers, LiDAR, and optical navigation sensors.
• Integrate GNC algorithms into embedded flight software and test in HIL and flight-like environments.
• Conduct Monte Carlo analysis and performance verification under uncertainty and failure scenarios.
• Collaborate with systems, avionics, and autonomy teams to deliver mission‑ready architectures.

Skills

Kalman filtering

nonlinear control

state estimation

GNC algorithms

embedded flight software

sensor fusion

Education

B.S./M.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Job description

We design and deliver resilient, high-performance spacecrafts that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale. Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution - empowering every engineer to think systemically, act decisively, and build with purpose. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars.

Company Overview

We design and deliver resilient, high-performance spacecrafts that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale. Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution - empowering every engineer to think systemically, act decisively, and build with purpose. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars.

Team / Department

You will join our Engineering Division, responsible for the design, development, and test of flight systems across our autonomous spacecraft portfolio.

The Role

We are seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer to architect, implement, and validate flight-critical algorithms supporting autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations (RPO), formation flying, and precision maneuvering. The ideal candidate combines deep technical rigor in control theory, state estimation, and orbital mechanics with hands‑on experience integrating algorithms into embedded flight software and hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and tune GNC algorithms for relative motion, formation flying, and autonomous RPO.
• Develop and validate attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) and orbit determination filters.
• Model and simulate orbital dynamics, spacecraft trajectories, and environmental disturbances.
• Perform state estimation and sensor fusion using IMUs, GPS, star trackers, LiDAR, and optical navigation sensors.
• Integrate GNC algorithms into embedded flight software (C/C++ and Python) and test in HIL and flight-like environments.
• Conduct Monte Carlo analysis and performance verification under uncertainty and failure scenarios.
• Collaborate with systems, avionics, and autonomy teams to deliver mission‑ready architectures.

Qualifications & Skills

• B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft, launch vehicle, or autonomous system GNC.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++.
• Demonstrated experience with Kalman filtering, nonlinear control, and state estimation.
• Proven ability to transition algorithms from simulation to flight in operational environments.
• Due to ITAR requirements, U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain or have an active TS/SCI clearance

Why Us?

Join a small, high‑impact team developing the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. Here, engineers own the full lifecycle - from concept through flight - shaping the future of trusted, resilient spacecraft autonomy.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Torrance, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $180000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

• healthcare, dental, vision, HSA, 401k, sick pay, PTO, holiday pay, etc

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Torrance,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.