Starfall GNC Engineer: Reentry Guidance & Control

Future Ventures; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive medical coverage

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a GNC Engineer to join the Starfall team. You will develop robust guidance, navigation, and control algorithms and deliver production-ready software for entry capsules used in logistics and in-space manufacturing.

You will participate in architecture reviews, analyze flight data, and write thorough technical documentation to support mission operations. The role requires strong problem-solving, clear communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of software development experience in either C++ or Python.
• Experience with GNC, orbital mechanics, and state estimation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop highly reliable and performant GNC algorithms, simulations, tools, services, and dashboards using C++ or Python; Starfall GNC Engineers write actual production code, not just prototypes for transcription by another team
• Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews
• Bulk data analysis to review performance data from Starfall flights, simulations, and operations
• Write high quality technical documentation of programs, algorithms, or analysis
• Entry vehicle trajectory design, guidance, and optimization
• Atmospheric entry, descent, and landing (EDL) algorithms
• Precision navigation and state estimation for reentry and recovery
• Attitude determination and control during orbital, deorbit, and atmospheric flight phases
• Fleet-level or multi-vehicle coordination for logistics delivery and recovery operations
• Simulation, analysis, and performance evaluation of entry systems under a wide range of conditions
• Integration of GNC with vehicle systems supporting military logistics and in-space manufacturing missions

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline

Job description

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a GNC Engineer to join the Starfall team. You will develop robust guidance, navigation, and control algorithms and deliver production-ready software for entry capsules used in logistics and in-space manufacturing.

You will participate in architecture reviews, analyze flight data, and write thorough technical documentation to support mission operations. The role requires strong problem-solving, clear communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced