GNC Engineer - 177670

Piper Companies; Seal Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking an experienced GNC Engineer to support aerospace and defense programs, focusing on GN&C algorithm development and high-fidelity simulations. This onsite role in Seal Beach, CA requires an active TS/SCI clearance and hands-on software in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++.

You will work with cross-disciplinary teams to transition concepts to flight testing. The role emphasizes trajectory design, guidance laws, and flight software across aerospace platforms, with a strong

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant engineering experience in aerospace systems.
• Hands-on GN&C algorithm development for guidance, navigation and control.
• MATLAB and Simulink proficiency required.
• 6-DOF modeling and high-fidelity vehicle dynamics simulations.
• Software development experience in C/C++ and Python.
• Active Tier 5 TS/SCI clearance required.
• Willingness to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate GN&C algorithms for spacecraft and aerospace vehicles.
• Create and maintain high-fidelity 6-DOF simulations for dynamics and performance analysis.
• Develop GN&C flight software using MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++.
• Apply flight mechanics and control theory to trajectory design and guidance.
• Collaborate across systems, software, avionics, and test teams during development and testing.
• Prepare CONOPS, analysis artifacts, and test procedures supporting flight prototypes.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

C/C++

Python

C#

Job description

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking an experienced GNC Engineer to support a leading aerospace and defense organization rapidly developing and fielding advanced space, hypersonic, and autonomous vehicle capabilities for mission-critical U.S. government programs. This role is fully onsite in Seal Beach, CA (NO FLEXIBILITY) and requires an active Tier 5 TS/SCI security clearance*

The GNC Engineer will support the design, development, simulation, and testing of guidance, navigation, and control capabilities for advanced space, hypersonic, and autonomous vehicle systems, working across engineering, software, avionics, and test teams to rapidly transition concepts from development through flight testing.

Responsibilities of the GNC Engineer:

• Design, develop, and validate GN&C algorithms for spacecraft, hypersonic, re-entry, and other aerospace vehicles.
• Develop and maintain high-fidelity 6-DOF simulations for vehicle dynamics, mission, and performance analysis.
• Develop and integrate GN&C flight software using MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++.
• Apply flight mechanics, controls, and astrodynamics to trajectory design, guidance, navigation, and vehicle performance.
• Develop atmospheric/re-entry flight controls, navigation, autonomy, and powered/unpowered guidance laws.
• Support system integration, verification, flight testing, troubleshooting, and anomaly resolution.
• Develop simulation artifacts, CONOPS, analysis products, and test procedures supporting prototype-to-flight development.
• Collaborate with systems, software, avionics, integration, and test teams throughout development and testing.

Qualifications for the GNC Engineer:

• 5+ years of relevant engineering experience supporting aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, autonomous platforms, hypersonic vehicles, or similar aerospace systems.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline — Engineering, Engineering Technology, CS/Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, or directly related field. Advanced education can offset some experience per the original requirement.
• Hands-on GN&C algorithm development — guidance, navigation, and/or control algorithms, not simply general aerospace/systems engineering.
• MATLAB + Simulink expertise.
• 6-DOF modeling/simulation development — experience developing high-fidelity vehicle dynamics simulations and associated analysis tools.
• Flight mechanics + control systems knowledge applicable to aerospace vehicles.
• Software development experience in C/C++, Python, or C#.
• Aerospace vehicle systems experience — aircraft, missile, spacecraft, autonomous vehicle, or similar.
• Active Tier 5 TS/SCI clearance*
• Ability & Willingness to work fully onsite in Seal Beach, CA.
• Preferred:
  • Spacecraft, hypersonic, and/or re-entry vehicle experience.
  • State estimation and sensor fusion, including Kalman filtering and GPS/INS integration.
  • Advanced control theory, including classical, modern, and nonlinear controls.
  • Model-based development and flight test support experience.
  • Astrodynamics/orbital mechanics and trajectory optimization experience.

Compensation for the GNC Engineer:

• Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 *depending on experience*
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k Plan, PTO, Holidays, Sick Leave if required by law

This job opens for applications on 11/01. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

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