GNC Engineer, Space

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical plans

Generous PTO

Mental health resources

Professional development reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

A defense technology company is seeking a GNC Engineer to enhance space capabilities. Responsibilities include working on satellite GNC subsystems and developing software-defined approaches for autonomous operations. The role requires a strong engineering background and experience in orbital mechanics. A competitive salary range of $166,000—$220,000 USD is offered, along with comprehensive benefits including healthcare, professional development support, and generous PTO.

Qualifications

• Strong engineering background with experience in relevant fields.
• Ability to understand complex systems and requirements.
• Experience with orbital mechanics and space tracking.

Responsibilities

• Work on spacecraft GNC software and hardware subsystems.
• Develop software-defined approaches for autonomous spacecraft.
• Coordinate with teams for planning and testing functionalities.

Skills

Engineering background

MATLAB

Python

C++

Linux Systems

Orbital mechanics

Communication skills

Education

Aerospace Engineering

Dynamics and Controls Engineering

Computer Science

Tools

Simulink

Job description

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Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

About The Team

Anduril's Space team is dedicated to expanding our AI-powered capabilities into the final frontier, enhancing Space Domain Awareness, Space Control, and Command and Control for U.S. military and allied partners. We're developing fully integrated hardware and software systems, including Lattice for Space Missions and modular payloads, to address growing threats in space and ensure our Guardians maintain a decisive advantage in this contested warfighting domain.

About The Job

As a GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Control) Engineer for our Space team, you will work on and understand the design of all satellite GNC subsystems to include but not limited to hardware sensors and actuators, orbit mechanics, navigation algorithms, flight software implementation, subsystem integration & test (I&T), and vehicle I&T. The GNC engineering team will work closely with related teams, including Systems, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software. The GNC Engineer will work algorithm design, truth and physics modeling, simulation and analysis for a wide variety of spacecraft and space missions to include but not limited to LEO, MEO, GEO, Reentry, and RPOD (Rendezvous Proximity Operations and Docking). The Sr. GNC Engineer will help lead successful implementation, validation and GNC operations of Anduril’s fleet of spacecraft.

This role is directly tied to ongoing, funded programs within Anduril’s Space Business Line. The programs require building and fielding a resilient, software-defined spacecraft systems across numerous mission threads. We work with mission partners and customers to deploy reliable and robust capabilities on operationally-relevant fielding timelines to meet complex challenges across the DOD and IC.

What You’ll Do

• Work spacecraft GNC software and hardware subsystems for various spacecraft efforts in all orbital regimes and work closely with bus providers for successful implementation
• Develop modern, software-defined approaches to autonomous spacecraft operations with maneuvering capabilities to successfully accomplish mission objectives
• Develop appropriate test plans and procedures to validate the GNC system during ground checkout, on-orbit commissioning and operations
• Collaborate across multiple teams to plan, build, and test complex functionality.
• Coordinate with end-users, other operators and customers to turn needs into features while balancing user experience with engineering constraints.
• Support challenging schedules during ground testing, launch windows and on-orbit operations of the spacecraft systems.
• Design of flight software, algorithms, and simulation products.
• Development of spacecraft autonomy tools for dynamic space operations
• Test process development and execution.
• Define automated fault detection and responses.
• Provide hardware-in-the-loop and monte-carlo simulation capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in areas/fields such as Aerospace Engineering, Dynamics and Controls Engineering, Computer Science, or other engineering degree.
• Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C++, Go, and/or Linux Systems.
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and detailed requirements.
• Experience with orbital mechanics and resident space object tracking capabilities
• Familiarity with rendezvous proximity operations and docking, orbital mechanics with propulsive spacecraft, and/or spacecraft attitude determination and controls
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft dynamics, orbital mechanics, and control theory.
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, Python, Go, C++ and/or Linux systems.
• A desire to work on critical software and hardware designs in the space domain.
• Experience testing propulsion subsystems in laboratory environments that mimic the space environmental constraints.
• Experience conducting spacecraft operations and satellite command and control with an emphasis on system reliability and uptime.
• Experience with testing/validation leveraging FlatSats, Hardware-in-the-Loop testbeds and digital spacecraft simulators through nominal and fault scenarios.
• Experience with computer vision and perception algorithms to support GNC operations.
• Experience developing 3-DOF simplified and 6-DOF high-fidelity dynamics simulation models used for GNC systems analysis and validation.
• Exposure to US satellite operations policy and constraints for relevant mission threads in all orbits.

US Salary Range

$166,000—$220,000 USD

Healthcare Benefits

• US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
• UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents.
• IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents.

Additional Benefits

• Income Protection: Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees.
• Generous time off: Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting.
• Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work-life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available.
• Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development
• Commuter Benefits: Company-funded commuter benefits based on your region.
• Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility.

Retirement Savings Plan

• US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax (mega backdoor Roth) options.
• UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match.
• AUS Roles: Superannuation plan.

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

Defense and Space Manufacturing