Senior Launch Vehicle GNC Leader

Firefly Aerospace; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, headquartered in north Austin, Texas, seeks a Launch Vehicle GNC Manager to lead a technical team responsible for guidance, navigation, and control design, analysis, and flight operations for operational launch vehicles.

This role owns all aspects of leadership, including recruitment, career development, performance management, budgeting, and strategic planning, while driving a high‑performing culture and delivering mission‑critical support in a fast-paced aerospace

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, physics or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in launch vehicle GNC with expertise in guidance, navigation and control.
• 5+ years of technical leadership including directing engineers and staff.
• Experience supporting operational launch vehicle missions across multiple phases.
• Advanced degree in a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead a GNC team supporting multiple launch vehicle programs and development efforts.
• Set GNC objectives and communicate priorities to team and stakeholders.
• Interface with program managers to allocate responsibilities and schedules.
• Drive GNC strategy, roadmap, and capabilty investments.
• Champion process improvements for GNC tools and operations.
• Oversee daily operations and timely delivery of software and analysis.
• Develop and manage the GNC budget and operating plan.
• Own staffing, hiring, onboarding and workforce planning.
• Mentor engineers and drive career development across levels.
• Maintain high morale in a demanding technical environment.

Skills

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentorship

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field

Master's or PhD in related field

Tools

Python

Linux

C++

Job description

Firefly Aerospace, headquartered in north Austin, Texas, seeks a Launch Vehicle GNC Manager to lead a technical team responsible for guidance, navigation, and control design, analysis, and flight operations for operational launch vehicles.

This role owns all aspects of leadership, including recruitment, career development, performance management, budgeting, and strategic planning, while driving a high‑performing culture and delivering mission‑critical support in a fast-paced aerospace