Staff GNC Analysis Engineer

Ursa Major; United States; Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental Leave

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

HSA/FSA

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

401k Match

Equity Grants

Job summary

Ursa Major seeks a Guidance Navigation and Controls Analysis Engineer to help lead GNC development for propulsion and flight-control systems. You will develop models and algorithms, build simulations, and translate requirements into embedded software, coordinating with vehicle design, structures, and avionics.

You will develop simulations, support HIL and flight tests, and collaborate across disciplines, using MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, and Python.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience developing GNC models and algorithms for aerospace or defense systems.
• Strong understanding of classical control, estimation, and vehicle dynamics.
• Experience implementing algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, or Python.
• Ability to work across disciplines and communicate technical concepts clearly.
• Ability to work effectively in teams or individually.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain flight GNC systems for aerospace applications.
• Translate GNC requirements into models and into efficient, reliable embedded software.
• Develop and execute simulations to evaluate guidance, navigation, and control performance.
• Coordinate with design to ensure vehicle design parameters align with control system requirements.
• Support system integration, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and flight test activities.
• Analyze test and flight data to assess performance and drive improvements.
• Contribute to requirements definition, verification, and traceability for GNC functions.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks through analysis, testing, and peer review.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical design, avionics, software, and test engineers.
• Document designs, analyses, and test results for internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

GNC models

Algorithms

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

Python

Cross-functional

Control theory

Vehicle dynamics

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree or Ph.D. (Desirable)

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

Python

Job description

The future of aerospace and defense starts here.

Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands.

As a Guidance Navigation and Controls Analysis Engineer you will help lead development of Ursa Major vehicle GNC capabilities. This role will assess dynamic environments, determine appropriate sensor suite and configurations for varying vehicle designs, establish guidance designs. This role will develop GNC system designs into robust, flight-ready software, working across simulation, test, embedded implementation, and hardware-in-the-loop environments. This role is responsible for the 0 to 1 development of major portions of a flight control system, in tight, cross-functional coordination with vehicle design, structures and avionics. This role will develop algorithms and associated simulations, ensure compatibility with system design constraints, and validate performance leveraging a mix of Linear Systems Analysis, State Space Methods, Monte Carlo Analysis and deep coordination with Hardware-in-the-Loop analysis of the full system.

This position is available to work remote from within the United States or on-site/hybrid in Berthoud, Colorado.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain flight GNC systems for aerospace applications
• Translate GNC requirements into models and into efficient, reliable embedded software
• Develop and execute simulations to evaluate guidance, navigation, and control performance
• Coordinate with design to ensure that vehicle design parameters align with control system requirements.
• Support system integration, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and flight test activities
• Analyze test and flight data to assess performance and drive improvements
• Contribute to requirements definition, verification, and traceability for GNC functions
• Identify and mitigate technical risks through analysis, testing, and peer review
• Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical design, avionics, software, and test engineers
• Document designs, analyses, and test results for internal and external stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Professional experience developing GNC models and algorithms for aerospace or defense systems
• Strong understanding of classical control, estimation, and vehicle dynamics
• Experience implementing algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, or Python or equivalent
• Ability to work effectively across disciplines and communicate technical concepts clearly
• Ability to work effectively in teams or individually

Desirable Experience

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline
• Experience with navigation sensors (IMUs, GPS, star trackers, etc.) and state estimation techniques (e.g., Kalman filtering)
• Exposure to hardware-in-the-loop testing, flight testing, or operational flight systems
• Familiarity with safety-critical or regulated development environments (e.g., DO-178 or equivalent processes)
• Prior experience supporting aerospace or defense programs through integration and test phases
• Professional experience developing flight software for aerospace or defense systems
• Experience developing simulations to evaluate guidance, navigation, and control performance
• Experience leading development of GN&C standards

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $135,000 - $170,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.

Benefits Include

Interns are not eligible for benefits.

• Unlimited PTO – Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Bereavement
• Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Tax Advantage Accounts (HSA/FSA)
• Employer Paid Short and Long Term Disability, Basic Life, AD&D
• Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life and Emergency Medical Transport
• EAP Program
• Retirement Savings Plan – 401k with Company Match
• Equity Grants in the Company

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and clicking "Submit Application". This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.

NOTE: Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.

Must be a U.S. Person (this includes U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)

Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance

We’re an equal-opportunity employer. You will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

No outside recruiters, please.

Classification: Full-time Exempt