Hiring: Principal GNC Engineer Company: True Anomaly Location: Long Beach, CA Job Posted Time: 2026-09-13 10:29:05 Employment Type: On-site Target Skills & Keywords : C++, Embedded Systems, Python About the job Experience: •Expertise with FDIR related to GNC components, including failure detection, isolation, and recovery techniques •Operational familiarity with safety-critical or fault-tolerant flight software architectures •Track record of technical leadership, ownership of major subsystem design, or architecting full GNC solutions Required Skills: •Own end-to-end development of spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems, including architecture definition, algorithm design, software implementation, hardware integration, verification, and flight operations •Design, test, and validate GNC flight software for spacecraft operating in LEO, GEO, and cislunar environments •Develop advanced attitude and orbit determination algorithms, including sensor fusion, state estimation, covariance analysis, and Kalman filtering (EKF/UKF/batch) •Design control laws for attitude control, orbit control, maneuver execution, and closed-loop guidance, ensuring required performance and robustness under uncertainties •Lead creation and improvement of high-fidelity 6-DOF simulations, sensor/actuator models, disturbance environments, Monte Carlo pipelines, and SIL/HIL integration •Conduct system-level GNC trade studies and develop recommendations for hardware such as reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, IMUs, GNSS units, and optical navigation sensors •Define GNC subsystem requirements, interfaces, calibration procedures, verification/validation plans, and support design reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR) •Work cross-functionally with avionics, software, propulsion, mechanisms, mission operations, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of GNC functionality Qualifications: •Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related discipline (advanced degree preferred) •15+ years of hands-on experience developing and fielding spacecraft GNC systems •Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, including software development, numerical methods, and algorithm implementation •Comprehensive expertise in spacecraft attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, environmental perturbations, and actuator/sensor physics •Significant experience with estimation and filtering (EKF, UKF, batch least squares), sensor fusion, covariance analysis, and navigation performance assessment •Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain complex high-fidelity simulations and Monte Carlo frameworks •Demonstrated capacity to lead cross-disciplinary technical efforts and deliver results with minimal direction •Strong communication skills and ability to mentor and guide less experienced engineers •U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance •Work Location—This is an onsite position, successful candidates will be located near Long Beach, CA or Denver, CO. Compensation: •$220,000 - $315,000 / year •Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!