Head Of GNC Engineering

Actalent; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Stock options

401k

PTO

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Head of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) to define the technical direction for autonomous spacecraft control. You will own system-level performance, drive strategy, and lead a team delivering flight-critical GN&C from concept to on-orbit operations, including RPO and formation flying.

The role requires deep control and state estimation expertise, leadership experience, and a strong systems engineering mindset.

Qualifications

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in spacecraft, launch vehicle, or autonomous system GN&C
• Demonstrated ownership of flight-critical GN&C systems from concept through on-orbit operations
• Deep expertise in control systems, nonlinear dynamics, and state estimation (e.g., Kalman filtering)
• Strong experience with relative motion, orbital mechanics, and RPO or formation flying missions
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and deliver complex systems under schedule and performance constraints
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++
• Experience integrating algorithms into embedded flight software and HIL environments
• Strong systems engineering mindset with the ability to operate across disciplines
• U.S. Citizenship required
• Ability to obtain or hold an active TS/SCI clearance

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end GN&C architecture across all spacecraft programs, ensuring performance, robustness, and mission alignment
• Define and drive technical strategy and roadmap for autonomy-enabled control systems in dynamic and contested environments
• Lead the design, implementation, and validation of GNC algorithms for RPO, formation flying, and precision maneuvering
• Oversee development of ADCS, orbit determination, and state estimation systems with flight-level reliability
• Establish and enforce engineering standards, modeling practices, and verification methodologies across the GN&C domain
• Drive integration of GN&C with flight software, autonomy, avionics, and mission systems
• Own simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and performance validation under uncertainty, off-nominal conditions, and failure scenarios
• Lead hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and flight test campaigns, ensuring readiness for operational deployment
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-caliber GN&C team, setting a high bar for technical excellence and accountability
• Act as the technical authority for GN&C, supporting executive decisions, customer engagements, and program reviews

Skills

control theory

state estimation

orbital mechanics

Kalman filtering

GN&C leadership

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

embedded software

HIL testing

systems engineering

US citizenship

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Eng

Job description

• We design and deliver resilient, high-performance spacecrafts that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale.
• Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution. We expect leaders to think systemically, act decisively, and take ownership of mission outcomes. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars.
  
  

Company Overview

• We design and deliver resilient, high-performance spacecrafts that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale.
• Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution. We expect leaders to think systemically, act decisively, and take ownership of mission outcomes. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars.
  
  

Team / Department

• You will lead our Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) function within the Engineering Division, owning the architecture, performance, and delivery of flight-critical control systems across our autonomous spacecraft portfolio.
  
  

The Role

• We are seeking a Head of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) to define and lead the development of flight-critical algorithms enabling autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations (RPO), and precision maneuvering in contested environments. This is a technical leadership role, not a pure management position. You will set the technical direction for GN&C across the company, own system-level performance, and build and lead a team capable of delivering mission-critical autonomy from concept through flight. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in control theory, estimation, and orbital mechanics, combined with a track record of delivering flight-proven systems and leading high-performing engineering teams.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end GN&C architecture across all spacecraft programs, ensuring performance, robustness, and mission alignment
• Define and drive technical strategy and roadmap for autonomy-enabled control systems in dynamic and contested environments
• Lead the design, implementation, and validation of GNC algorithms for RPO, formation flying, and precision maneuvering
• Oversee development of ADCS, orbit determination, and state estimation systems with flight-level reliability
• Establish and enforce engineering standards, modeling practices, and verification methodologies across the GN&C domain
• Drive integration of GN&C with flight software, autonomy, avionics, and mission systems
• Own simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and performance validation under uncertainty, off-nominal conditions, and failure scenarios
• Lead hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and flight test campaigns, ensuring readiness for operational deployment
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-caliber GN&C team, setting a high bar for technical excellence and accountability
• Act as the technical authority for GN&C, supporting executive decisions, customer engagements, and program reviews
  
  

Qualifications And Skills

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in spacecraft, launch vehicle, or autonomous system GN&C
• Demonstrated ownership of flight-critical GN&C systems from concept through on-orbit operations
• Deep expertise in control systems, nonlinear dynamics, and state estimation (e.g., Kalman filtering)
• Strong experience with relative motion, orbital mechanics, and RPO or formation flying missions
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and deliver complex systems under schedule and performance constraints
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++
• Experience integrating algorithms into embedded flight software and HIL environments
• Strong systems engineering mindset with the ability to operate across disciplines
• U.S. Citizenship required
• Ability to obtain or hold an active TS/SCI clearance
  
  

Why Us?:

• Join a small, high-impact team building the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. Here, leaders own outcomes from first principles through flight and directly shape the future of resilient, mission-critical spacecraft autonomy.
  
  

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Torrance, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $250000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Healthcare, dental, vision, HSA, stock options, 401k, PTO, sick days, vacation, etc.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Torrance,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.