Lead Spacecraft GNC Controls & Autonomy Engineer

Firefly Aerospace, Inc.; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock bonuses

401(k) matching

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a Principal Spacecraft GNC Engineer (Controls) to design and implement advanced control systems for spacecraft attitude control, develop real-time flight software, and mentor junior engineers.

You will work on control algorithms for pointing accuracy, orbital maneuvers, and landing, while coordinating with cross‑discipline teams in a fast-paced spaceflight environment. The role requires extensive experience in ADCS, C++ for mission-critical applications, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field.
• Master's degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction on spacecraft control architectures.
• Design, analyze, and tune attitude control software for pointing accuracy across mission phases.
• Develop control laws for orbital maneuvers and descent/landing.
• Model complex dynamics including flex modes and propellant slosh.
• Lead hardware-in-the-loop testing and validate flight software.

Skills

ADCS

Attitude control

C++

Real-time software

Python scripting

Git

RTOS

CI/CD

Education

Bachelor's degree (Aerospace/Mech/ECE/CS)

Master's or PhD (preferred)

Tools

Git

RTOS

Job description

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a Principal Spacecraft GNC Engineer (Controls) to design and implement advanced control systems for spacecraft attitude control, develop real-time flight software, and mentor junior engineers.

You will work on control algorithms for pointing accuracy, orbital maneuvers, and landing, while coordinating with cross‑discipline teams in a fast-paced spaceflight environment. The role requires extensive experience in ADCS, C++ for mission-critical applications, and