Senior Guidance Systems Engineer

Castelion Corporation; Rio Rancho (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Health benefits

Job summary

Castelion Corporation is seeking a Senior Guidance Systems Engineer to develop guidance solutions for long-range hypersonic systems. You will shape flight performance from concept to tests and deployment, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to design, analyze, and validate guidance algorithms in a hardware-driven environment.

You will lead simulations, optimize guidance for stability and maneuverability, and work with program leadership to make technical trades aligned with mission

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of guidance system design for high-speed vehicles.
• DoD or similar program experience.
• 3DOF/6DOF trajectory/flight simulation experience.
• Onboard trajectory generation experience.
• AI/deep learning applied to trajectory optimization.
• Familiar with TAOS or POST trajectory analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimization of hypersonic flight guidance methods.
• Conduct trajectory/flight simulations to evaluate performance.
• Analyze inertial and active guidance for robust operation.
• Collaborate with avionics, seeker, flight software, and GNC teams.
• Define and execute test plans for subscale and full-scale flights.
• Mentor junior engineers and guide best practices.

Skills

Guidance design

Trajectory simulation

Real-time generation

DoD experience

AI for trajectory

Onboard generation

Education

Aerospace Engineering

Tools

TAOS

POST

Job description

Why Castelion, Why Now

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus and technical excellence are decisive advantages - and we are building a team that can deliver real capability, not just concepts.

This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where your work will directly shape critical systems, influence major technical decisions, and have immediate, real-world impact.

Senior Guidance Systems Engineer

We are seeking a Senior Guidance Engineer to develop guidance solutions for Castelion's long-range hypersonic strike vehicles. This role is critical in shaping the flight performance of our hypersonic systems from concept through flight tests and operational deployment. You will work hands-on with multidisciplinary engineering teams to design, analyze, characterize, and validate guidance algorithms in a rapid hardware-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and optimization of hypersonic flight vehicle guidance methods to maximize performance, stability, and maneuverability in atmospheric and space environments
• Conduct trajectory and flight simulations to evaluate guidance system performance, identify improvement opportunities, and validate design decisions
• Analyze and enhance the inertial and active guidance of Castelion's long-range hypersonic systems, ensuring robust performance under variable environmental conditions
• Work closely with teams in avionics, seeker, flight software, and GNC to ensure seamless vehicle integration
• Help define and execute test plans for subscale and full-scale flight tests, translating results into system-level design improvements
• Mentor and guide junior engineers in best practices
• Partner closely with program leadership to make technical trades aligned with mission success

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related field
• 3+ years of experience in guidance system design, analysis, and validation for high-speed vehicles (missiles, rockets, hypersonic glide vehicles, or maneuvering re-entry systems)
• Demonstrated ability to field guidance systems for DoD or similar programs
• Strong background in trajectory/flight simulation (3DOF and 6DOF) and real-time trajectory generation/optimization methods
• Experience with onboard trajectory generation approaches
• Familiarity with the application of AI/deep learning to trajectory optimization
• Proficiency in flight/trajectory analysis tools such as TAOS, POST, or equivalent
• Strong problem-solving mindset, thriving in a fast-paced, hardware-rich, high flight cadence environment

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits And Perks

• All full-time employees are granted meaningful long-term equity, sharing in the company's significant growth trajectory.
• We offer four (4) weeks of paid time off, ten (10) company-paid holidays, and comprehensive health benefits - including 100% employee-covered medical and strong dependent coverage, along with dental and vision plans.
• We also provide paid parental leave to support growing families, a $100 monthly fitness stipend to promote health and performance, and onsite EV charging for convenience.
• In addition, employees enjoy perks like catered meals, company-covered food during high-demand periods, and a fully stocked kitchen to stay fueled throughout the day.

While this position does not currently require a U.S government-issued security clearance, it may in the near future. Therefore, the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S government-issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Employment with Castelion is governed on the basis of 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.