Hypersonics GNC Engineer II: Trajectory & Flight Dynamics

Firefly Aerospace, Inc.; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee-ownership with stock bonuses

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a Hypersonics focused GNC Engineer to design, analyze, develop, and test guidance, navigation, and control systems for advanced hypersonic flight vehicles.

You will develop GNC algorithms, perform high-fidelity trajectory analyses, and support hardware-in-the-loop testing across vehicle development stages. The role collaborates with aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, avionics, and flight software teams to deliver robust GNC solutions in dynamic environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or a related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in guidance, navigation, controls, flight dynamics, trajectory analysis, or a related discipline.
• Experience with hypersonic vehicles or flight dynamics is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and validate GNC algorithms for hypersonic flight vehicles.
• Perform 6DOF modeling, simulation, and Monte Carlo analysis across nominal and off-nominal conditions.
• Develop and evaluate trajectory guidance, targeting, and optimization algorithms for boost, glide, and maneuvering phases.
• Design and tune attitude and vehicle control algorithms considering aerodynamic and propulsion constraints.
• Develop navigation and state-estimation algorithms using IMUs, GPS/GNSS, and sensor fusion.
• Conduct stability, robustness, and uncertainty analyses for nonlinear flight regimes.
• Maintain models of dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, sensors, and actuators.
• Support SIL, PIL, and HIL testing and integration with flight software.

Skills

GNC algorithm development

Python

C/C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Flight dynamics

Trajectory optimization

Team collaboration

Git/version control

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Git

Job description

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a Hypersonics focused GNC Engineer to design, analyze, develop, and test guidance, navigation, and control systems for advanced hypersonic flight vehicles.

You will develop GNC algorithms, perform high-fidelity trajectory analyses, and support hardware-in-the-loop testing across vehicle development stages. The role collaborates with aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, avionics, and flight software teams to deliver robust GNC solutions in dynamic environments.