Director of GNC

Stealth Mode; Gardena (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup in California is seeking a Director of GNC Engineering for Missile Systems. This pivotal role involves leading design and development for advanced control solutions in missile platforms. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in GNC development, strong leadership skills, and a clear understanding of missile integrations. A Bachelor's in engineering is required, and the role offers an exciting opportunity to work with a talented team in a cutting-edge environment.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in GNC development for missile, hypersonic, or high-speed flight systems.
• 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams in defense programs.
• Active Secret clearance required; Top Secret preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a high-performing GNC engineering team supporting missile development programs.
• Define and execute GNC architectures including guidance laws and autopilot design.
• Oversee development of midcourse and terminal guidance solutions.

Skills

Guidance law design

Autopilot and control system design

State estimation and sensor fusion

Integration of missile systems

6-DOF simulation environments

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering

Master's or PhD preferred

Job description

About The Company

We are a stealth‑mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in Gardena, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff‑level military leadership and several Silicon Valley firms. With a world‑class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.

Position Overview

The Director of GNC Engineering for Missile Systems leads the design, development, integration, and fielding of advanced guidance, navigation, and control solutions for tactical and strategic missile platforms. This role is responsible for delivering high‑reliability, mission‑critical flight performance in highly dynamic and contested operational environments. The Director provides technical leadership across the full lifecycle—from concept development and proposal capture through flight test, production, and sustainment—while ensuring compliance with DoD requirements, security protocols, and program performance objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a high‑performing GNC engineering team supporting missile development programs.
• Define and execute GNC architectures, including guidance laws, autopilot design, state estimation, and navigation filtering.
• Oversee development of midcourse and terminal guidance solutions, including performance in GPS‑denied or electronically contested environments.
• Direct modeling and simulation efforts, including 6‑DOF simulations, Monte Carlo analysis, and performance trade studies.
• Ensure robust integration across seekers, inertial navigation systems (INS), actuators, propulsion systems, flight software, and warhead interfaces.
• Lead hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL), and system integration lab (SIL) activities.
• Support ground and flight test campaigns, including pre‑flight readiness reviews, telemetry analysis, and post‑flight anomaly resolution.
• Ensure compliance with applicable MIL‑STDs, airworthiness requirements, safety certifications, and cybersecurity standards.
• Partner with Program Management and Business Development in proposal efforts, technical volume development, and customer engagements.
• Manage budget, staffing plans, subcontractor oversight, and schedule performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
• 12+ years of experience in GNC development for missile, hypersonic, or high‑speed flight systems.
• 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams in defense programs.
• Deep expertise in:
  • Guidance law design (e.g., proportional navigation, optimal guidance)
  • Autopilot and control system design
  • State estimation and sensor fusion (INS/GNSS integration)
  • High‑dynamic flight environments
• Experience with 6‑DOF simulation environments and real‑time embedded flight systems.
• Strong understanding of missile system integration and flight test execution.
• Active Secret clearance required; Top Secret preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with boost, midcourse, and terminal phase guidance architectures.
• Familiarity with seeker technologies (RF, IR, multi‑mode).
• Experience in hypersonic or high‑Mach flight regimes.
• Background in production transition and reliability growth for fielded missile systems.
• Experience operating in classified program environments.