Principal GNC Engineer

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

401(k)

Job summary

Impulse Space in Boulder County is seeking a Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer to own all aspects of vehicle guidance and control across development and operations within a fast-paced agile team.

You will architect GNC flight, test, and analysis systems for high-performance space vehicles, develop robust control algorithms for spacecraft in LEO/GEO, and mentor engineers while contributing to software and verification data.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science or related field.
• 15+ years of spacecraft control design and analysis experience.
• Proficiency in Matlab and C++.
• Capable of performing control analysis in time and frequency domains.
• Experience with vehicle‑GNC design processes, from concept, through design reviews and implementation.
• Experience in spacecraft operations.

Responsibilities

• Architect GNC flight, test, and analysis systems for high-performance space vehicles produced at scale.
• Develop robust control algorithms for spacecraft: satellites in LEO and GEO, large upper stages, and landers.
• Generate control verification data for Impulse’s suite of missions.
• Participate in GNC software development, both flight code and simulation.
• Mentor other engineers and define the best practices for vehicle control systems.
• Create tools to be used for all flight vehicle GNC systems, enabling missions to be realized quickly.
• Resolve technical issues with innovative, resourceful solutions.
• Communicate design needs, intent, and capability to the broader engineering team.

Skills

Matlab

C++

Control analysis

GNC design

Spacecraft operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science or related field

Job description

Compensation

$170,000 - $200,000 / year

Department

Autonomous Systems

Location

Boulder County

Description

As a Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer at Impulse Space, you will own all aspects of and provide outstanding technical contribution to vehicle guidance and control in all phases of development and operation while working closely with a fast paced, agile team.

Responsibilities

• Architect GNC flight, test, and analysis systems for high-performance space vehicles produced at scale.
• Develop robust control algorithms for spacecraft: satellites in LEO and GEO, large upper stages, and landers.
• Generate control verification data for Impulse’s suite of missions.
• Participate in GNC software development, both flight code and simulation.
• Mentor other engineers and define the best practices for vehicle control systems.
• Create tools to be used for all flight vehicle GNC systems, enabling missions to be realized quickly.
• Resolve technical issues with innovative, resourceful solutions.
• Communicate design needs, intent, and capability to the broader engineering team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science or related for science
• 15+ years of experience in spacecraft control design and analysis.
• Proficiency in Matlab and C++
• Capable of performing control analysis in time and frequency domains.
• Experience with vehicle‑GNC design processes, from concept, through design reviews and implementation.
• Experience in spacecraft operations.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Prior experience in upper stage or lander control.
• Experience in a startup or agile development.

Additional Information

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full‑time hires, you may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.