GNC Engineer – Spacecraft Pointing & Maneuvering

Approach Venture LLC; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No-cost medical, dental, and vision

Equity

Relocation support

Hybrid or remote-with-travel

Job summary

Approach Venture LLC in San Francisco is seeking a GNC Engineer to own the spacecraft's guidance, navigation, and control, including attitude determination and laser pointing. You will develop the algorithms from first principles and carry them into flight software on a small, collaborative team.

This role covers high-precision pointing, STK/MATLAB workflows, and hardware-in-the-loop testing, with hybrid or remote-with-travel options and relocation support if needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years developing GNC or attitude control systems for spacecraft or autonomous vehicles.
• Strong foundation in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, control theory, and Kalman filtering.
• Experience writing GNC algorithms from first principles and validating in hardware or flight.
• Proficiency in C++ or Python plus MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident, willing to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own guidance, navigation, and control for the spacecraft from architecture through flight.
• Design attitude determination and control algorithms for slewing, tracking, and pointing lasers.
• Develop orbit maneuvering, relative motion, and proximity guidance for objects in orbit.
• Build state estimation and sensor fusion using star trackers, IMUs, GNSS, and payload sensors.
• Write flight-ready GNC code and integrate with flight software and avionics.
• Run software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing and support on-orbit operations.
• Shape mission design, concept of operations, and system trade studies.

Skills

GNC

Attitude control

Kalman filtering

C++/Python

Flight software

Education

Aerospace Eng

Mechanical Eng

Electrical Eng

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

STK

GMAT

Python

Job description

GNC Engineer – Maneuver and Point the First Spacecraft to Carry a High-Energy Laser

San Francisco, CA | Hybrid or Remote with Travel

Opportunity Summary

Join a newly funded space and defense startup building the first spacecraft to carry a high-energy laser into orbit. As a GNC Engineer, you will own how the spacecraft maneuvers, holds attitude, and points its laser and sensors with precision at objects in orbit.

This role covers traditional spacecraft GNC and precision instrument pointing, and it works hand in hand with the perception and targeting software that tells the vehicle where to look. You will write the algorithms from scratch, prove them in simulation, and carry them into flight software on a small team where everyone owns a lot. San Francisco is preferred, and strong candidates in Los Angeles, Denver, or Seattle who can travel regularly are welcome.

About Us

We are a stealth-stage space and defense company building the first spacecraft to put a high-energy laser in orbit. Hundreds of billions of dollars in satellites operate today with no way to defend themselves, and we are building the capability to protect them. Our three founders have designed, built, and launched complex space hardware at leading space companies and defense primes. Backed by an oversubscribed seed round from tier-one venture investors, we are building our demonstration spacecraft over the next 12 months.

Job Duties

• Own guidance, navigation, and control for the spacecraft from architecture through flight.
• Design attitude determination and control algorithms for slewing, tracking, and fine pointing of a laser payload.
• Develop orbit maneuvering, relative motion, and proximity guidance for operating near objects in orbit.
• Build state estimation and sensor fusion using star trackers, IMUs, GNSS, and payload sensors.
• Partner with perception and targeting engineers so tracking data drives stable, accurate pointing commands.
• Model and size actuators such as reaction wheels, thrusters, and fine steering mechanisms, and own the pointing error budget.
• Build high-fidelity 6DOF simulations and mission analyses in STK, MATLAB/Simulink, and Python.
• Write flight-ready GNC code and integrate it with flight software and avionics.
• Run software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing, then support on-orbit operations.
• Shape mission design, concept of operations, and system trade studies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years developing GNC or attitude control systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, aircraft, or other autonomous vehicles.
• Strong foundation in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, control theory, and Kalman filtering.
• Experience writing GNC algorithms from first principles, not only running existing simulations.
• Proficiency in C++ or Python, plus MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
• Track record of algorithms validated through hardware testing or flight.
• Comfort owning work across simulation, flight code, and hardware on a small team.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident, willing to obtain a security clearance.

Preferred Experience

• Flight heritage on spacecraft attitude control, rendezvous and proximity operations, or precision pointing payloads.
• GNC for rocket landing, eVTOL aircraft, or autonomous underwater vehicles.
• Fine pointing and line-of-sight stabilization for optical or laser systems.
• Mission modeling in STK, GMAT, or Basilisk.
• Master’s or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Controls, or Robotics.

Why Join Us

• Own GNC on a first-of-its-kind space mission.
• Location flexibility, with hybrid or remote-with-travel options.
• No-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, with subsidized family coverage.
• Meaningful early-stage equity.
• Work alongside founders who have designed, built, and launched complex space hardware.
• Relocation support if company locations evolve as we grow.

Compensation Details

$180,000 – $250,000 + equity