Principal GNC Engineer

Job Description

Principal GNC Engineer | Spacecraft

Boulder, Colorado

$230,000 – $270,000 + Pre-IPO Equity + Benefits

On-Site | U.S. Person / Export-Control Eligibility Required

Are you a senior GNC Engineer who has architected control systems for spacecraft from concept through flight? Have you developed guidance and control algorithms for satellites, upper stages, landers or other high-performance space vehicles? Do you want genuine technical ownership of GNC architecture while remaining deeply involved in flight software, simulation and spacecraft operations? If so, this opportunity may be the right next step for you.

This rapidly growing space technology organisation is developing a new generation of high-performance spacecraft for demanding orbital missions. Engineers work in small, highly technical teams with significant ownership, moving quickly between analysis, software, hardware integration, test and flight operations.

The Principal GNC Engineer will provide technical leadership across vehicle guidance and control, helping architect GNC systems that can be deployed across multiple spacecraft and missions. This is a hands-on technical position combining advanced controls development with flight implementation and mission support.

As the Principal GNC Engineer your responsibilities will include

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• Architecting GNC flight, simulation, test and analysis systems for high-performance spacecraft
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• Developing robust control algorithms for satellites, upper stages, landers and other orbital vehicles
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• Performing time and frequency-domain control analysis and generating verification data for flight missions
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• Developing GNC flight software and simulation tools while resolving complex vehicle-control challenges
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• Defining technical best practices, supporting spacecraft operations and mentoring engineers across the GNC organisation
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As the Principal GNC Engineer you will bring

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• Extensive experience in spacecraft GNC, controls, flight dynamics or closely related vehicle-control development
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• Strong spacecraft control design and analysis capabilities, including time and frequency-domain analysis
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• Proficiency with MATLAB and C++ across modelling, simulation or flight-software development
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• Experience taking vehicle GNC from initial concept through design reviews, implementation, verification and flight
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• Practical experience supporting spacecraft operations , with upper-stage or lander control experience particularly valuable
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The Principal GNC Engineer will have the opportunity to solve problems across the complete spacecraft lifecycle rather than owning one isolated algorithm. You'll influence architecture, write and review software, develop reusable tools, support verification and remain connected to the vehicle through operations.

Experience within a startup or fast-moving development environment is valuable, but not essential. The priority is deep spacecraft controls expertise , strong engineering judgement and the ability to turn analysis into robust flight capability.

The Principal GNC Engineer will join an ambitious engineering organisation where senior technical contributors can have direct influence over vehicle architecture and future missions, supported by $230,000–$270,000 base salary, meaningful pre-IPO equity and comprehensive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits .

All successful applicants will be contacted within two working days.