GNC Engineer II

Firefly Aerospace; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in Austin, Texas, is seeking a highly capable GNC Engineer to design, analyze, and operate the GNC systems of our launch vehicles. You will develop GNC software, run simulations, and support mission operations, advancing toward senior roles while contributing to reliable ascent guidance and attitude control.

Candidates have a strong background in aerospace dynamics, Python and C++, and hands-on experience with real-time flight software and Linux environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, physics, math, CS or related field.
• 2–5 years in aerospace guidance, navigation and control or related area.
• Experience with Python for data analysis and visualization; C++ for embedded apps.
• Understanding of launch vehicle flight mechanics and attitude dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate GNC software to ensure launch vehicle mission success.
• Tune attitude determination and control algorithms for all flight phases.
• Perform 6DOF dynamic analysis of ascent trajectories.
• Create and maintain simulation models for sensors and actuators.
• Interface with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate GNC with hardware.

Skills

Python scripting

C++ (embedded/flight)

Linux development

Git version control

Kalman filtering

trajectory design

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CI/CD

Real-time OS

Simulation tools

Job description

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

As a GNC Engineer at Firefly, you will design, analyze, and operate the GNC systems of operational launch vehicles. In this role, you will develop GNC and simulation software, perform dynamic analyses, and support mission operations while continuing to build breadth across core GNC competencies. This position offers hands‑on experience with launch vehicle ascent guidance, attitude control systems, and real‑time flight operations in a fast‑paced environment. You will deepen your technical capabilities and refine your desired career trajectory, taking ownership of system elements and software tools as you grow toward a senior GNC role at Firefly.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and validate GNC software to ensure successful launch vehicle mission execution
• Tune and configure attitude determination and control algorithms for all phases of launch vehicle flight
• Perform 6DOF dynamic analysis of nominal and dispersed ascent trajectories
• Develop and maintain simulation models for sensors, actuators, and environmental effects
• Create tools to automate workflows, process flight data, and generate technical reports
• Conduct stability analysis, sensitivity studies, and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing of GNC systems under nominal and off‑nominal flight conditions
• Interface with cross‑discipline teams to integrate GNC software with vehicle hardware
• Serve as a GNC console operator for launch operations and perform post‑flight analysis to improve vehicle models
• Author technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate GNC concepts and results to diverse audiences
• Build proficiency across core GNC competencies while contributing to continuous improvement of GNC processes and tools

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or related field
• 2-5 years of professional experience in aerospace guidance, navigation, and control, or related technical discipline
• Understanding of launch vehicle flight mechanics and attitude dynamics
• Familiarity with numerical simulation techniques, integration methods, and modeling of dynamic systems
• Experience with Python for scripting, data analysis, and visualization
• Familiarity with C++ for real‑time or flight‑critical applications
• Understanding of software development best practices including version control (Git), code documentation, and testing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced degree (master's or PhD) in aerospace engineering or related field with focus on GNC, flight mechanics, or controls
• Experience supporting launch vehicle GNC across development, integration, and flight
• Proficiency in C++ for embedded systems or real‑time applications
• Knowledge of state estimation techniques including Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, and covariance analysis
• Knowledge of numerical optimization and targeting methods applied to trajectory design
• Familiarity with modern flight software frameworks and real‑time operating systems
• Familiarity with CI/CD workflows and automated testing practices
• Experience with Linux development environments and command‑line tools
• Exposure to spaceflight mission operations or launch campaigns

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.