GNC Software Engineer (Mid-Level to Senior)

Astro Mechanica; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and视ion

401(k) program and stock option plan

Self-managed and flexible time-off

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Astro Mechanica is seeking a GNC software engineer who wants real ownership over the guidance and control systems of a clean-sheet autonomous aircraft. You’ll write the simulation and flight code yourself, and you’ll work closely with hardware and software teams to get the aircraft flying.

You care deeply about how systems behave in the real world, not just in simulation, and you’re motivated by robust, testable control architectures ready for flight.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, software engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, or related discipline.
• Professional experience in GNC development for aerospace or autonomous vehicle programs.
• Strong background in flight dynamics, modeling, and simulation.
• Proficiency in Rust, C++, or comparable systems language, plus Python for analysis and tooling.
• Experience with version control, code review, testing, and CI.
• Ambition to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement guidance, navigation, and control systems for products.
• Engage in multi-disciplinary aircraft trades and help define system architecture.
• Build and maintain 6-DOF dynamics and simulation models for control design, analysis, and validation.
• Develop tooling to automate control design, Monte Carlo, and simulation validation.
• Collaborate with peers across engineering disciplines to define control schemes for products.
• Support flight and ground test operations.
• Conduct post flight/test reviews and correlate performance with analysis for continuous improvement.

Skills

GNC development

Flight dynamics

Modeling & simulation

Software development

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering

PhD in related discipline

Tools

Rust

C++

Python

Job description

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures.

WHO WE ARE:

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE:

You're a GNC software engineer who wants real ownership over the guidance and control systems of a clean-sheet autonomous aircraft. You work from first principles, you write the simulation and flight code yourself, and you work closely with hardware and software teams to get the aircraft flying. You care deeply about how systems behave in the real world—not just in simulation—and you’re motivated by building control architectures that are robust, testable, and ready for flight.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Develop and implement guidance, navigation, and control systems for our products

• Engage in multi-disciplinary aircraft trades and help define the overall system architecture

• Build and maintain 6-DOF dynamics and simulation models used for control design, analysis, and validation

• Develop tooling to automate control design, monte carlos, and simulation validation

• Work closely with peers across engineering disciplines to define the control schemes and mechanisms for our products

• Support flight and ground test operations

• Conduct post flight/test reviews and correlate performance with analysis for continuous improvement on predictions

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, software engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, or related discipline

• Professional experience in GNC development for an aerospace or autonomous vehicle program

• Strong background in flight dynamics, modeling, and simulation

• Proficiency in Rust, C++, or a comparable systems language, plus Python for analysis and tooling

• Experience with software development best practices such as version control, code review, testing, and CI

• Ambition to work in a fast-paced environment

PERKS & BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

• Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

• Flexible work environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.