GNC Engineer - Hybrid Spacecraft Navigation & Lunar Missions

Relative Dynamics; Glen Burnie (MD); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Relative Dynamics is seeking a GNC Software Engineer to work on a hybrid basis from Houston, TX or Glen Burnie, MD, supporting a Commercial Space project. You will develop, test, and peer review GNC flight software in C and C++, and collaborate with cross-functional teams across software and hardware systems.

The role emphasizes trajectory analysis, sensor integration, and real-time navigation in a lunar mission context, with a focus on Kalman filtering, HWIL/SWIL testing, and multi-disciplinary

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field with 3–7 years of relevant experience.
• Experience developing and implementing Kalman Filters.
• Experience with real-time software development.
• Familiarity with GN&C hardware including IMU, Star Trackers, GPS, LIDAR, and/or OpNav systems.
• Experience with SWIL and/or HWIL testing and integration.
• Exposure to relative navigation, image processing, or feature detection techniques.
• Experience supporting flight control analysis and evaluating vehicle performance and stability.
• Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Python.
• Experience with GN&C sensor testing, planning, or modeling.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Foundational knowledge of spacecraft dynamics and orbital mechanics.
• Experience with JIRA and Agile development processes.
• Familiarity with VxWorks or other real-time operating systems is a plus.
• Experience with Git version control preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and documentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Work in a fast-paced commercial space environment on upcoming high-profile lunar missions.
• Contribute to the US’s return to lunar operations.
• Perform trajectory analysis and generation for cislunar missions, rapidly responding to customer requests.
• Generate analysis that drives mission requirements.
• Contribute to the design, development, and testing of the GNC system for a satellite.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across software and hardware systems.
• Develop, test, and peer review GNC flight software in C and C++.
• Support the selection, assessment, and integration of GNC sensors and effector systems.
• Execute and analyze 6-DOF simulations to evaluate expected on-orbit performance.
• Support navigation HWIL sensor and effector integration and testing for the lunar mission.
• Assist in real-time flight software development, integration, and testing for the satellite.

Skills

Kalman filters

Real-time software

GN&C concepts

C/C++

Python

JIRA & Agile

Git

VxWorks

IMU/Star Trackers/GPS

GN&C sensor testing

Education

BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

Git

VxWorks

JIRA

Job description

Relative Dynamics is seeking a GNC Software Engineer to work on a hybrid basis from Houston, TX or Glen Burnie, MD, supporting a Commercial Space project. You will develop, test, and peer review GNC flight software in C and C++, and collaborate with cross-functional teams across software and hardware systems.

The role emphasizes trajectory analysis, sensor integration, and real-time navigation in a lunar mission context, with a focus on Kalman filtering, HWIL/SWIL testing, and multi-disciplinary