GNC Software Engineer (Mid-Level to Senior)

Astro Mechanica CORP.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Stock option plan

Flexible time-off

Job summary

Astro Mechanica CORP. in San Francisco is seeking a GNC Software Engineer (mid-level to senior) to own guidance, navigation, and control systems for an autonomous aircraft.

You will write the simulation and flight code, collaborate with hardware and software teams, and help ensure robust, testable flight performance. The role emphasizes first-principles design, model-based analysis, and building controllable architectures that perform in real-world conditions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace, software, robotics, electrical engineering, or related discipline
• Professional experience in GNC for aerospace or autonomous vehicle programs
• Strong background in flight dynamics, modeling, and simulation
• Proficiency in Rust, C++, or a comparable systems language, plus Python for analysis
• 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 define system architecture
• Build and maintain 6-DOF dynamics and simulation models for control design and validation
• Develop tooling to automate control design, Monte Carlo, and simulation validation
• Collaborate with peers across engineering disciplines to define control schemes
• 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

CI/CD & version control

Python

Rust/C++

Education

Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace/software/robotics/electrical engineering

Tools

Rust

C++

Python

Simulation tools

Job description

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.

If this sounds like how you operate, check out our job openings below.

GNC Software Engineer (Mid-Level to Senior)

Employment Type

Full time

Department

Software

Compensation

• Level 2 $140K - $180K
• Senior $170K - $230K

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 - 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.