Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer to own the full life cycle of GNC development, from design through flight testing. You will perform system analyses, simulations, and Monte Carlo studies to drive design decisions and support mission operations.

Responsibilities include developing a 6-DoF vehicle simulation using C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink, integrating GNC sensors, and coordinating with other spacecraft operators and government

Qualifications

• BS in engineering or physics with relevant field knowledge.
• Experience in designing, modeling, testing aerospace GNC systems.
• Strong software skills in C++ and Python, plus simulation tools.

Responsibilities

• Own the life cycle of GNC development from design to flight testing.
• Develop 6-DoF vehicle simulation and Monte Carlo analyses.
• Integrate and test GNC sensors, actuators, and software in hardware-in-the-loop.
• Coordinate with space operators, agencies, and government partners.
• Prepare design descriptions and supporting documentation.

Skills

GNC design

C++/Python

Orbital mechanics

System engineering

Communication skills

Education

B.S. in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, physics or related field

Tools

GMAT

POST2

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.

Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses. From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind. Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital. Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL. Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

As a Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer, you will own the full life cycle of GNC development at Varda, from design through to unit, hardware-in-the-loop, on-vehicle functionality, and flight testing. You will perform system analyses, including simulations and Monte Carlo, to satisfy specifications and requirements and to drive system-level architectural and business decisions. You will contribute to a sophisticated multi-degree of freedom in-house aerospace simulation and test framework and develop and maintain design descriptions and supporting documentation. You'll see end to end execution of the GNC subsystem from initial analysis/design through vehicle integration, mission planning and flight through support of on-orbit and reentry mission operations.

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 the reentry of a space capsule


• Develop 6 degree of freedom 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 necessary to facilitate fully automated maneuver responsibility and maneuver scheduling decisions


• Monitoring on-orbit system performance; troubleshooting where necessary


• Coordination with other spacecraft operators, 3rd party agencies, and the US government

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, physics, or related field


• 1-3 proven years of experience, or PhD with 1+ years of relevant experience


• Demonstrated knowledge in designing, modeling, testing, and flying aerospace guidance, navigation, and control systems


• Highly adept software and model development skills, particularly in C++/Python


• Understanding of orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development


• Experience anchoring/fitting first principles models to test data or high‑fidelity external simulations


• Proven system engineering and configuration management skills


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Master's degree in engineering or physics


• Experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control system design


• Experience with GMAT, POST2, or similar tools


• Understanding of multi‑body dynamics, flexible body dynamics, gas dynamics, fluids, and thermodynamics


• Experience developing and verifying physical models for the purpose of control design, component sizing, and system performance evaluation


• Experience supporting safety critical flight tests or spacecraft


• Ability to continuously manage risk and provide solutions with lean and state of the art software development techniques

Pay Range

• Salary range:


• Engineer 1: $131,494 - $168,024/per year


• Engineer 2: $144,020 - $184,026/per year


• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA


• Leveling and base salary is determined by job‑related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance


• You will be eligible for long‑term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long‑term cash awards

Benefits

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well‑being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full‑time employees and interns.

Regular Full‑Time Positions

Health & Wellness

• Flexible PTO policy +12 paid holidays


• 100% company‑paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer‑matched HSA options


• Voluntaryaccident, hospital, critical illness,andpet insurance


• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses


• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)


• Family building, pregnancy,parentingand menopausebenefitsvia Maven Clinic


• SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement

• Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start‑up


• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)


• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement


• Relocation supportfor new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly


• Company and team‑bonding events, happyhoursand mission‑success celebrations


• Complimentary EV charging

Intern Positions

Health & Wellness

• Paidobservedholidays


• 100% company‑paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer‑matched HSA options


• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses


• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement


• Up to $4,000gross up in relocation support, ifeligible


• Up to $850commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly


• Company and team‑bonding events, happyhoursand mission‑success celebrations


• Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export‑controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export‑controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license. “US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.