Senior GNC Engineer: Autonomous Attitude & Flight (Stock)

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 169,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Engineer to own the full GNC lifecycle from design to flight testing. You will run simulations, develop control algorithms, and contribute to an in-house aerospace framework supporting on-orbit and reentry missions.

The role requires strong C++/Python skills, knowledge of orbital mechanics, and experience with ground testing and hardware-in-the-loop validation in a fast-moving space industry environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, physics, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience, or PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge in designing, modeling, testing, and flying aerospace GNC systems.
• Strong software and model development skills in C++/Python.
• Understanding of orbital mechanics and simulations.

Responsibilities

• ADCS hardware performance specification including sizing of reaction wheels, torque rods, IMU/GPS, and star trackers.
• Design and implementation of autonomous satellite attitude control, collision avoidance, orbital rendezvous, burn planning and atmospheric re-entry algorithms.
• Perform trajectory design, optimization, and dispersion analysis for reentry of a space capsule.
• Develop 6-DOF vehicle simulation using C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink.
• Running Monte Carlo analysis to characterize performance of new vehicle and mission capabilities.
• Integration and testing of GNC sensors, actuators, and software in hardware-in-the-loop environment.
• Design and implementation of ground tooling for fully automated maneuver scheduling decisions.
• Monitoring on-orbit system performance; troubleshooting where necessary.
• Coordination with other spacecraft operators, 3rd party agencies, and the US government.

Skills

C++/Python

GNC systems

Orbital mechanics

Modeling & simulation

Hardware-in-the-loop

Education

B.S. engineering degree

PhD with 3+ years

Tools

GMAT

POST2

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Engineer to own the full GNC lifecycle from design to flight testing. You will run simulations, develop control algorithms, and contribute to an in-house aerospace framework supporting on-orbit and reentry missions.

The role requires strong C++/Python skills, knowledge of orbital mechanics, and experience with ground testing and hardware-in-the-loop validation in a fast-moving space industry environment.