GNC Engineer, Space Emerging Talent

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries' Space team in Costa Mesa, CA seeks an Early Career GNC Engineer to contribute to the analysis, design, simulation, and testing of satellite guidance, navigation, and control subsystems.

Join a hands-on environment working with experienced engineers across the spacecraft lifecycle, from physics modeling to hardware-in-the-loop testing, to help deliver robust GNC capabilities for space missions.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently completed Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related field.
• 0–2 years of professional, internship, or hands-on university project experience.
• Able to start full time in 2026.
• Ability to understand complex systems and detailed requirements.
• Capable of solving complex problems with minimal oversight.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in design and tuning of spacecraft GNC algorithms (ADCS, orbit determination, maneuver planning).
• Develop and run 3-DOF/6-DOF physics-based simulations for validation and Monte Carlo analyses.
• Collaborate with Flight Software to implement GNC algorithms in embedded C++ or Python.
• Support HITL testing on FlatSats and testbeds; verify sensor/actuator performance.
• Cross-collaborate with Space Engineering teams to translate mission requirements into flight capability.

Skills

GNC design

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

C++

Space systems

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

Git

Linux

CI workflows

Job description

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

We're looking for an Early Career GNC Engineer to join our rapidly growing Space team in Costa Mesa, CA.

As an Early Career GNC Engineer on our Space team, you will contribute directly to the analysis, design, simulation, and testing of satellite GNC subsystems. Working alongside experienced engineers, you will gain hands‑on exposure across the full spacecraft lifecycle-from physics modeling and algorithm development to hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing and on-orbit operations.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Assist in the design and tuning of spacecraft GNC algorithms, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), orbit determination, and maneuver planning.
• Develop, maintain, and run 3-DOF and 6-DOF physics-based simulation environments to validate vehicle performance and conduct Monte Carlo analyses.
• Collaborate with the Flight Software team to implement, test, and verify GNC algorithms in embedded C++ or Python environments.
• Support subsystem and vehicle-level testing on FlatSats and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) testbeds, identifying anomalies and verifying sensor/actuator performance.
• Cross collaborate with other Space Engineering teams like Flight Software, Systems Engineering, and Hardware teams to turn mission requirements into functional flight capability.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be pursuing or have recently completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer/Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
• 0-2 years of professional, internship, or hands‑on university project team experience (e.g., university CubeSat team, rocketry club, high‑altitude balloon project, or related multidisciplinary engineering team).
• Able to start full time this year (2026).
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and detailed requirements.
• Capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight.
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material.
• Foundational knowledge in relevant areas like spacecraft dynamics, orbital mechanics, classical/modern control theory, astrodynamics, etc.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB/Simulink, or modern C++.
• Substantiated track record track record of execution - having a bias for execution is part of the equation but delivering actionable results is the outcome.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Hands‑on experience with satellite design, integration, or operations via university CubeSat missions or aerospace industry internships.
• Familiarity with state estimation techniques (e.g., Extended Kalman Filters) and common GNC hardware (star trackers, IMUs, reaction wheels, torque rods, propulsion systems).
• Exposure to Linux environments, Git version control, and continuous integration (CI) workflows.
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) testbeds, FlatSat environments, or physical lab test equipment.
• Familiarity with orbital rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) concepts.

US Salary Range

$112,000 - $149,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equit