Launch Vehicle GNC Engineer II

Firefly Aerospace Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Sabbatical every 5 years

Health, dental and vision insurance

Maternity leave (12 weeks)

Stock bonuses

4% Safe Harbor 401(k) matching

Home purchase bonus

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. in Austin, Texas is seeking a GNC Engineer to design, analyze, and operate guidance, navigation, and control systems for our launch vehicles.

You will develop GNC software, run simulations, and support mission operations, gaining hands-on experience with ascent guidance and real-time flight operations. The role emphasizes ownership of system elements and tools, collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams, and opportunities to grow toward senior GNC roles while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or related field.
• 2–5 years of professional experience in aerospace guidance, navigation, and control or related technical discipline.
• Understanding of launch-vehicle flight mechanics and attitude dynamics.
• Familiarity with numerical simulation techniques and modeling of dynamic systems.
• Experience with Python for scripting, data analysis, and visualization.
• Familiarity with C++ for real-time or flight-critical applications.
• Understanding of software development best practices including Git, documentation, and testing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in aerospace engineering or related field with focus on GNC, flight mechanics, or controls.
• Experience supporting launch-vehicle GNC across development, integration, and flight.
• Familiarity with CI/CD workflows and automated testing practices.
• Experience with Linux development environments and command-line tools.
• Exposure to spaceflight mission operations or launch campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate GNC software to ensure successful launch-vehicle mission execution.
• Tune and configure attitude determination and control algorithms for launch phases.
• Perform 6-DOF dynamic analysis of ascent trajectories.
• Develop and maintain simulation models for sensors, actuators, and environmental effects.
• Create tools to automate workflows, process flight data, and generate technical reports.
• Conduct stability analysis, sensitivity studies, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Interface with cross-discipline teams to integrate GNC software with vehicle hardware.
• Serve as a GNC console operator for launch operations and post-flight analysis.
• Author technical documentation and analysis reports communicating GNC concepts.

Skills

Python scripting

C++

Git/version control

Data analysis & visualization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace/related field

Master’s/PhD in aerospace or controls

Tools

Linux development

Real-time OS

Embedded systems

Job description

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. in Austin, Texas is seeking a GNC Engineer to design, analyze, and operate guidance, navigation, and control systems for our launch vehicles.

You will develop GNC software, run simulations, and support mission operations, gaining hands-on experience with ascent guidance and real-time flight operations. The role emphasizes ownership of system elements and tools, collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams, and opportunities to grow toward senior GNC roles while