GNC Engineer III

True Anomaly; Long Beach, Denver (CA, CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health benefits

401K

Parental Leave

Job summary

A leading aerospace technology firm in Long Beach, CA seeks a GNC Engineer to develop and oversee Guidance, Navigation, and Control systems for spacecraft. This role includes designing software, conducting trade studies for hardware, and extensive collaboration across engineering teams. Candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field, possess 5-7 years of relevant experience, and be well-versed in software development principles like C++ and Python. Strong analytical skills and the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams are essential.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of relevant GNC Engineering experience in aerospace and defense industry.
• Strong understanding of physics, orbital mechanics, and software development principles.
• Experience with filtering or estimation methods (e.g., Kalman filters).
• Familiarity with sensors, actuators, state estimation, and control laws
• Ability to build, test, and debug software and simulation tools

Responsibilities

• Own GNC system development including architecture and algorithm design.
• Design and validate GNC flight software for spacecraft.
• Conduct trade studies for GNC hardware specifications.
• Conduct trade studies and provide design recommendations for GNC hardware.
• Develop GNC algorithms and implement them in flight software; verify via high-fidelity simulation and HIL testing.
• Create and improve high-fidelity 6-DOF simulation environments for SIL/HIL and mission analysis.
• Use frequency- and time-domain tools to ensure stability and performance under disturbances.
• Define system-level GNC requirements and verification plans in collaboration with systems engineering.
• Collaborate with avionics, propulsion, software, and mission operations teams.
• Support on-orbit commissioning, calibration, maneuver planning, and anomaly resolution.

Skills

C++

Python

Analytical skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering

Job description

A new space race has begun. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build innovative technology that solves the next generation of engineering, manufacturing, and operational challenges for space security and sustainability.

OUR MISSION

The peaceful use of space is essential for continued prosperity on Earth—from communications and finance to navigation and logistics. True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to enhance the capabilities of the U.S., its allies, and commercial partners. We safeguard global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all.

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

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
• Internship 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 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

• 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.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. #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.