GNC Engineer II, Hypersonics

Firefly Aerospace; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in Austin, Texas, seeks a GNC Engineer to design, analyze, and operate the GNC systems for launch vehicles. You will develop GNC and simulation software, perform dynamic analyses, and support mission operations in a fast-paced environment.

You will gain hands-on experience with ascent guidance, attitude control, real-time flight operations, and collaborate across disciplines to improve models and tools.

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 discipline.
• Understanding of launch vehicle flight mechanics and attitude dynamics.
• Familiarity with numerical simulation, integration methods, and dynamic modeling.
• Experience with Python for scripting, data analysis, and visualization.
• Familiarity with C++ for real-time or flight-critical applications.
• Knowledge of Git, CI/CD, and testing practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in aerospace or related field with GNC/flight mechanics focus.
• Experience supporting launch vehicle GNC across development, integration, and flight.
• Proficiency in embedded C++ for real-time applications.
• Knowledge of Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, covariance analysis.
• Familiarity with trajectory targeting methods and numerical optimization.
• Experience with modern flight software frameworks and RTOS.
• Exposure to spaceflight mission operations or launch campaigns.

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 nominal and dispersed ascent trajectories.
• Develop and maintain simulation models for sensors, actuators, and environment.
• Create tools to automate workflows, process flight data, and generate reports.
• Conduct stability analyses, sensitivity studies, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Interface with cross-discipline teams to integrate GNC with hardware.
• Serve as GNC console operator for launch operations and post-flight analysis.
• Author technical documentation and analyses for diverse audiences.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of GNC processes and tools.

Skills

Python scripting

C++ programming

Git version control

Linux development

CI/CD workflows

Kalman filtering

State estimation

Trajectory design

Real-time systems

Flight software

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace eng

Advanced degree (MS/PhD)

Tools

Git

Linux

Real-time OS

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.