Principal GNC Engineer

Firefly Aerospace; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous health, dental, and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO options

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Principal GNC Engineer to serve as a technical authority for launch vehicle guidance, navigation, and control systems. The role involves developing innovative solutions for complex mission requirements and mentoring engineers. Candidates should have a Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering and over 10 years of relevant experience. The position offers a blend of technical leadership and hands-on contribution in a dynamic aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in launch vehicle guidance, navigation, and control.
• Experience with operational launch vehicle missions and flight campaigns.
• Mastery of GNC domains and flight software development.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical authority on GNC systems.
• Develop GNC methodologies for complex mission requirements.
• Lead resolution of complex GNC challenges across the organization.

Skills

Expertise in launch vehicle dynamics

Programming proficiency in Python and C++

Software engineering best practices

Strong communication skills

Technical leadership experience

Ability to mentor engineers

Education

Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering

Bachelor’s degree with substantial technical accomplishments

Tools

Linux

Specialized simulation tools

Job description

SUMMARY

As a Principal GNC Engineer at Firefly, you will serve as a technical authority on launch vehicle GNC systems enabling missions to low Earth orbit and beyond. This technical leadership role requires an authoritative knowledge base in launch vehicle GNC disciplines, with a proven track record of solving the most complex GNC challenges on operational missions. In this role, you will drive technical strategies and capability development, provide authoritative technical review and guidance, and mentor engineers at all levels. This position balances hands‑on technical contribution with strategic leadership, offering the opportunity to influence system architectures from concept through operations, represent Firefly’s technical excellence to customers and executive leadership, and solve unique problems that push the boundaries of spaceflight.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a technical authority on the guidance, navigation, and control of launch vehicles, providing expertise across programs and domains
• Develop and validate novel GNC methodologies, tools, and best practices for complex or unprecedented mission requirements
• Lead resolution of the most challenging GNC problems across the organization
• Provide authoritative technical review and oversight of launch vehicle GNC designs, changes, and risks
• Establish technical standards for mission design, software development, testing, and requirement verification
• Drive GNC strategy and roadmap development, identifying capability gaps, investment priorities, and opportunities for adopting emerging technology
• Initiate and execute continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes, tools, and operational efficiency
• Represent GNC expertise in executive‑level technical reviews, mission milestone reviews, customer meetings, and proposal efforts
• Participate in critical technical work including algorithm development, test campaign execution, and mission operations support
• Mentor and develop engineers at all levels, cultivating the next generation of technical leaders

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering or related field, or bachelor’s degree with substantial technical accomplishments demonstrating analytical rigor equivalent to graduate research
• 10+ years of experience in launch vehicle GNC with demonstrated expertise and technical leadership across multiple programs
• Demonstrated experience supporting operational launch vehicle missions through multiple flight campaigns
• Mastery of launch vehicle dynamics with deep expertise in a specialization area combined with strong understanding across GNC domains
• Experience developing strategic vision, technical roadmaps, and capability development initiatives for GNC teams
• Proficiency in the development of flight software and physics simulations for spaceflight applications
• Software engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control, code review, testing, documentation, and CI/CD
• Proficiency with Python, C++, Linux, and specialized tools and libraries relevant to domain
• Comprehensive knowledge of launch vehicle subsystems and their impact on GNC design and performance
• Demonstrated ability to elevate the technical capabilities of engineers through mentorship, developing high performers who strengthen the organization around them
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with an ability to convey complex technical concepts to executives, customers, and non-technical stakeholders
• PhD with research contributions advancing a specialization area relevant to launch vehicle GNC
• Background as a technical leader on operational launch vehicle programs from development through multiple successful flights
• Deep expertise in advanced techniques relevant to specialization
• Demonstrated proficiency across multiple GNC specialization areas
• Proven ability to influence technical direction and drive consensus across multidisciplinary organizations
• Skill in communicating with program management, customers, and executives in both technical and business forums
• Experience leading or supporting anomaly investigations and resolving flight‑critical GNC issues
• History of applying technical expertise to achieve customer mission success and initiate new business opportunities
• Innovation through patents or technical contributions in specialization area
• Track record of thought leadership through publications, presentations, or contributions to industry state‑of‑the‑art

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short‑term disability, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on 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.