Starfall GNC Engineer: Reentry & Precision Navigation

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Vision, Dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a GNC Engineer (Starfall) to design and implement guidance, navigation, and control software for the Starfall entry capsule. This role focuses on trajectory design, atmospheric entry, and precise state estimation, using C++ or Python to deliver production-quality code and analytics.

You will join a fast-moving team tackling simulations, data analysis, and system integration for logistics and in-space manufacturing missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS, aerospace, physics or engineering.
• 1+ years of software development in C++ or Python.
• Master's or PhD in engineering or physics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop reliable GNC algorithms, simulations, tools, and dashboards in C++ or Python.
• Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews.
• Bulk data analysis of Starfall flight data and simulations.
• Write high-quality 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/recovery.
• Attitude determination and control during orbital and atmospheric flight.
• Fleet-level multi-vehicle coordination for logistics delivery and recovery operations.
• Simulation, analysis, and evaluation of entry systems under various conditions.
• Integration of GNC with vehicle systems for logistics and in-space manufacturing missions.

Skills

C++

Python

Software development

GNC algorithms

Education

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

Master's degree or PhD in an engineering discipline or physics

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a GNC Engineer (Starfall) to design and implement guidance, navigation, and control software for the Starfall entry capsule. This role focuses on trajectory design, atmospheric entry, and precise state estimation, using C++ or Python to deliver production-quality code and analytics.

You will join a fast-moving team tackling simulations, data analysis, and system integration for logistics and in-space manufacturing missions.