Senior Staff GNC Engineer

Lanteris Space LLC; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 238,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Lanteris Space LLC in Palo Alto, CA seeks a Senior Staff GNC Engineer to serve as technical lead for a major space program. You will design, analyze, and test advanced GNC algorithms and orbital analyses while guiding a team of engineers.

The role demands deep expertise in spacecraft attitude control, MATLAB/Simulink, and C/C++ with hands-on testing, HITL activities, and rigorous documentation. California-based, with strong leadership expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace (Space), Astronautics, Mechanical (Dynamics), Electrical (Controls), Physics (Astrodynamics, Orbits) or related field.
• 8 years of related industry experience in spacecraft GNC systems.
• Advanced degree counts for additional experience as noted.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of GNC systems.
• Serve as subject matter expert for spacecraft attitude control.
• Drive technical decisions and architectural choices.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers.
• Lead technical reviews and design discussions.

Skills

GNC algorithms

Spacecraft dynamics

Technical leadership

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++/Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace (Space) or related field

Master's degree counts for 2 years experience

PhD counts for 2 years experience

Tools

Git/Gitlab/Github

Linux/Windows

AWS Pipelines

Job description

Please review the job details below. Lanteris Space LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intuitive Machines, is seeking a Senior Staff Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer to serve as the technical lead for an upcoming program in Palo Alto, CA. As a technical leader, you will design, analyze, and test advanced GNC algorithms and orbital analysis while providing technical leadership to the team. Intuitive Machines is a leading space infrastructure company that builds spacecraft, connects networks, andoperatesinfrastructure-as-a-service for commercial,civil, and national security customers. With a proventrack recordacross the space domain, the Company,through organic growth and portfolio expansion, has built over300 spacecraft,delivered over 260 kilograms of payload to the lunar surface, and provided precision navigationexpertisethat has guided spacecraft across our solar system.

Location

Palo Alto, CA.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of GNC systems.
• Serve as subject matter expert for spacecraft attitude control.
• Drive technical decisions and architectural choices.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers.
• Lead technical reviews and design discussions.

Technical Analysis & Development

• Design and analyze spacecraft attitude control system performance.
• Lead simulation and modeling of complex GNC algorithms.
• Analyze and interpret telemetry data from on-orbit spacecraft.
• Develop innovative GNC flight software components.
• Create and validate sophisticated MATLAB/Simulink models.
• Author technical documentation, analysis reports, and white papers.

Testing & Validation

• Lead GNC hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing activities.
• Develop sensor models (gyroscopes, star trackers, magnetometers, etc.).
• Develop actuator models (reaction wheels, CMGs, magnetic torque rods, thrusters).
• Design test procedures and advanced data analysis scripts.
• Investigate and resolve complex anomalies.

Collaboration

• Lead design reviews and technical meetings.
• Interface with customers and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Flight Software, Systems Engineering, and other teams.
• Present findings to technical and executive leadership.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace (Space), Astronautics, Mechanical (Dynamics), Electrical (Controls), Physics (Astrodynamics, Orbits), Applied Math or related field.
• 8 years of related industry experience in spacecraft GNC systems.
• A Master's degree may count for 2 years of experience and a PHD may count for 2 years of experience.
• Demonstrated technical leadership on successful space programs.
• Deep expertise in GNC algorithms and spacecraft dynamics.

Technical Skills

• Expert-level proficiency with C/C++/MATLAB/Simulink/Python/Julia.
• Strong experience with Git/Gitlab-Github, Linux/Windows, AWS Pipelines.
• Proven track record of successful GNC system designs.

Salary & Benefits

The base pay for this position within California is: $143,000.00 - $238,000.00 annually. For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. Additionally, this position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.

Application Window

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. The date of posting can be found on the Lanteris Space Systems Career page at the top of each job posting.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Intuitive Machines is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. We comply with disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process.

Intuitive Machines is building the infrastructure for your boldest missions and the next era of space operations. Our foundation is proven and built for scale, resilience, and mission continuity, extending across LEO, GEO, lunar, interplanetary, and deep space. That’s why commercial leaders and government organizations, such as NASA rely, on Intuitive Machines to sustain continuous mission operations and extend their space capabilities further and faster.