GNC Leader, Launch Vehicles — Strategy & Mission Ops

Firefly Aerospace; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans with low…

Parental leave

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short-term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace seeks a Launch Vehicle GNC Manager to lead a technical team responsible for guidance, navigation, and control system design, analysis, and flight operations across multiple programs. You will own staffing, budgeting, and career development, drive strategic planning, and ensure on-time delivery of mission-critical software and analyses in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

This role requires collaboration with program managers and stakeholders to align roadmaps with mission

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in launch vehicle GNC with demonstrated expertise across guidance, navigation, and control system design.
• 5+ years of technical leadership experience including directing the work of other engineers and technical staff.
• Demonstrated experience supporting operational launch vehicle missions through multiple mission phases.
• Experience managing team budgets, resource planning, and workforce forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Lead a GNC team supporting multiple launch vehicle programs and development efforts.
• Set GNC objectives and communicate priorities to team members and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Interface with program managers and mission stakeholders to allocate team responsibilities and establish execution schedules.
• Drive GNC strategy and roadmap development, identifying capability gaps and investment priorities.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes, tools, and operational efficiency.
• Direct daily operations of the team ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical software development, analysis, and operational support.
• Develop and manage the GNC budget and annual operating plan.
• Own all aspects of team staffing including hiring, onboarding, and workforce planning.
• Conduct performance evaluations and drive career development through mentorship and coaching of engineers at all levels.
• Foster a healthy team culture and maintain high morale in a demanding technical and operational environment.

Skills

GNC expertise

Team leadership

Budget management

Communication

Mission operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field

Tools

Python

Linux

C++

Job description

Firefly Aerospace seeks a Launch Vehicle GNC Manager to lead a technical team responsible for guidance, navigation, and control system design, analysis, and flight operations across multiple programs. You will own staffing, budgeting, and career development, drive strategic planning, and ensure on-time delivery of mission-critical software and analyses in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

This role requires collaboration with program managers and stakeholders to align roadmaps with mission