Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GN&C) Engineer

Socket.dev; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Craig Technologies is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GN&C) Engineer to join our team in Houston, TX or Merritt Island, FL. You will contribute to the GN&C system design, development, testing, and autonomous validation for the Lunar Data Network spacecraft.

The role emphasizes real-time GN&C flight software, 6-DOF simulations, HWIL/SWIL integration, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams. A strong background in C/C++, EKF state estimation, and GN&C hardware is required.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in aerospace/electrical engineering or related field with 3–5 years of experience.
• Experience writing flight or simulation software in C/C++ (and Python).
• Familiarity with EKFs or sequential filters for spacecraft state estimation.
• Knowledge of GN&C hardware (IMUs, Star Trackers, Reaction Wheels, Thrusters).
• Experience with HWIL/SWIL testbeds and agile development.

Responsibilities

• Design, architecture development, and verification testing for GN&C systems of LDN spacecraft.
• Develop and test GN&C flight software and control algorithms in C/C++.
• Support integration of GN&C sensors and effectors.
• Run 6-DOF simulations and Monte Carlo analyses for on-orbit performance.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, and mission operations teams.
• Document architectures, trades, and simulation results.

Skills

C/C++ flight software

GN&C algorithms

State estimation (EKF)

Python scripting

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace/Electrical Engineering

Tools

JIRA

Git

HWIL/SWIL testbeds

Job description

Title

Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GN&C) Engineer

Location

Houston, TX.

Citizenship Requirement

US citizenship required.

Req#

4091

Job Summary

Craig Technologies is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GN&C) Engineer to join our team in Houston, TX or Merritt Island, FL. The candidate will contribute to the design, development, and testing of the GN&C system for the Lunar Data Network (LDN) spacecraft, which will provide crucial navigation and communications services to lunar users. This position will support real-time GN&C flight software development, flight control automation, hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) sensor and effector integration, orbital performance analysis, and autonomous deep-space maneuvering validation.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, architecture development, and verification testing of the GN&C system for the Lunar Data Network (LDN) spacecraft constellation.
• Develop, test, and peer-review high-reliability GN&C flight software and control algorithms written in C and C++.
• Support the selection, trade studies, procurement, and integration of specialized deep-space GN&C sensors and effector systems.
• Execute, maintain, and analyze 6-DOF (Degrees of Freedom) simulations and Monte Carlo profiles to evaluate expected on-orbit performance and trajectory stability in cislunar space.
• Support navigation HWIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) and SWIL (Software-in-the-Loop) sensor and effector integration and testing for the LDN satellite constellation.
• Assist in real-time flight software development, testing, and implementation of autonomous fault-tolerant recovery logic for navigation anomalies.
• Incorporate relative navigation, image processing, or feature detection techniques to support operations where traditional Earth-based GPS is unavailable.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams across software, hardware, and mission operations systems.
• Document software architectures, design trades, and simulation results in clean technical reports and presentations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and technical documentation skills with an ability to communicate complex data clearly and effectively.
• High level critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and a detail-oriented engineering mindset.
• Ability to work independently or adapt quickly as part of a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced space systems team.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a highly related field plus 3–5 years of relevant experience.
• 3–5 years of direct experience writing flight or simulation software in C, C++, and/or Python.
• Proven experience developing, tuning, and implementing Extended Kalman Filters (EKFs) or sequential filters for spacecraft state estimation.
• Familiarity with deep-space or satellite GN&C hardware architectures, including IMUs, Star Trackers, Reaction Wheels, and Thruster clusters.
• Experience with relative navigation, Optical Navigation (OpNav), or feature detection techniques optimized for lunar or planetary environments.
• Foundational knowledge of spacecraft rigid-body dynamics, attitude determination, and orbital mechanics (specifically multi-body or cislunar trajectories).
• Experience utilizing SWIL and/or HWIL testbeds to integrate and calibrate physical sensor packages.
• Experience working with JIRA, Git version control, and Agile development methodologies.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Familiarity with VxWorks, RTEMS, or other Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) used in aerospace applications is a strong plus.
• Prior experience contributing to GN&C engineering efforts on operational spacecraft or satellite programs.
• All candidates selected will be subject to a background investigation and drug screen.
• To conform to U.S. Government International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods standing or walking on hard surfaces.
• Ability to travel <10%.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.

Note: This job description describes the general nature of the duties and requirements of the job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or to limit the supervisor's ability to modify work assignments as appropriate.

All candidates selected will be subject to a security background investigation and must meet all eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Craig Technologies is an EEO Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other non-job-related protected status. All candidates selected will be subject to a security background investigation and must meet all eligibility requirements for access to classified information.