GNC Engineer III

True Anomaly, Inc.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 145,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare – 100% company-paid medical

Dental & Vision coverage

Time off – up to 25 days PTO

HSA/HRA options

Lunch & snacks in-office

Equity participation

Dog Fridays

Job summary

True Anomaly, Inc. seeks an experienced GNC engineer to own architecture, design, verification, and on-orbit operations for spacecraft. You will develop and validate Attitude and Orbit Determination algorithms, sensor fusion, and embedded flight software across multiple orbit regimes.

The role requires 5–7 years in GNC within aerospace/defense, strong C++/Python skills, and a collaborative, multidisciplinary mindset to advance autonomous spacecraft capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related field.
• 5 - 7 years of relevant GNC Engineering experience in the aerospace and defense industry.
• Coursework or project experience in spacecraft attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, and control systems.
• Experience with C++ and/or Python for algorithm development, numerical methods, or simulation.
• Exposure to filtering or estimation methods (e.g., Kalman filters) through internships, coursework, or projects.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Own all aspects of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) system development, including architecture definition, algorithm design, verification, hardware integration, and on-orbit operations.
• Design, test, and validate GNC flight software and embedded algorithms for spacecraft operating in LEO, GEO, and other orbit regimes.
• Develop and maintain spacecraft Attitude and Orbit Determination & Estimation (AOD/AOE) algorithms, including sensor fusion and filtering frameworks.
• Conduct trade studies and provide design recommendations for GNC hardware such as reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, sun sensors, IMUs, and RF/optical navigation sensors.
• Develop GNC algorithms and implement them in flight software; verify performance and robustness through high-fidelity simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Design, implement, and improve high-fidelity 6-DOF simulation environments for SIL, HIL, and advanced mission analysis.
• Utilize and enhance frequency-domain and time-domain control analysis tools to ensure stability margins, disturbance rejection, and performance in off-nominal conditions.
• Define system- and subsystem-level GNC requirements, interfaces, and verification plans in collaboration with systems engineering.
• Work cross-functionally with avionics, propulsion, software, mission operations, and systems teams to ensure seamless integration of GNC functionality.
• Support on-orbit commissioning, system calibration, maneuver planning, and anomaly resolution throughout mission operations.

Skills

GNC Engineering

Control systems

Software development

Python

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related field

Tools

C++

Python

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.

What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.

It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

BENEFITS & PERKS *

Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options

Generous time off: Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays; Parental Leave; Sick Leave

Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees

And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays

Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success.

*Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles

RESPONSIBILITIES

Own all aspects of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) system development, including architecture definition, algorithm design, verification, hardware integration, and on-orbit operations.

Design, test, and validate GNC flight software and embedded algorithms for spacecraft operating in LEO, GEO, and other orbit regimes.

Develop and maintain spacecraft Attitude and Orbit Determination & Estimation (AOD/AOE) algorithms, including sensor fusion and filtering frameworks (e.g., EKF, UKF, batch least-squares).

Conduct trade studies and provide design recommendations for GNC hardware such as reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, sun sensors, IMUs, and RF/optical navigation sensors.

Develop GNC algorithms and implement them in flight software; verify performance and robustness through high-fidelity simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

Design, implement, and improve high-fidelity 6-DOF simulation environments for SIL, HIL, and advanced mission analysis.

Utilize and enhance frequency-domain and time-domain control analysis tools to ensure stability margins, disturbance rejection, and performance in off-nominal conditions.

Define system- and subsystem-level GNC requirements, interfaces, and verification plans in collaboration with systems engineering.

Work cross-functionally with avionics, propulsion, software, mission operations, and systems teams to ensure seamless integration of GNC functionality.

Support on-orbit commissioning, system calibration, maneuver planning, and anomaly resolution throughout mission operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related field

5 - 7 years of relevant GNC Engineering experience in the aerospace and defense industry

Coursework or project experience in spacecraft attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, and control systems

Strong understanding of physics, attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, and software development principles

I nternship or project experience in GNC, control systems, or simulation development

Experience with C++ and/or Python for algorithm development, numerical methods, or simulation

Familiarity with spacecraft GNC concepts, such as sensors, actuators, state estimation, and control laws

Exposure to filtering or estimation methods (e.g., Kalman filters) through internships, coursework, or projects

Ability to build, test, and debug software and simulation tools

Strong analytical skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment

Demonstrated ability to take ownership of tasks and learn new concepts quickly

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or equivalent discipline

Experience with closed-loop control, orbital maneuvering, filtering, state estimation, fault management, and software development

Experience developing simulation environments for spaceflight physics

Experience with flight operations and solving problems real-time on console

Experience performing line of sight performance analysis such as jitter, smear, and pointing accuracy

Experience doing hands-on GNC hardware testing

Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI US government security clearance

COMPENSATION

Base Salary: $145,000 - $210,000

Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Location —This is an onsite position, Successful candidates will be located near Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA

Work environment —the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.

Physical demands —the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

#LI-Onsite
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.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.