Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer

Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer Job Summary: Specter Aerospace is seeking an experienced Guidance, Navigation, and Control engineer to lead the design and analysis of high‑speed airbreathing testbed vehicles. A successful candidate will have prior experience developing GNC algorithms for high‑speed and hypersonic flight systems, developing and analyzing six degree‑of‑freedom simulations, and supporting the transition from development to flight. About Specter Aerospace: Specter Aerospace is building the next generation of hypersonic vehicles for defense and commercial applications. Specter is headquartered in Peabody, MA, just north of Boston, where it leverages its advanced propulsion technologies, manufacturing, and testing capabilities to rapidly develop supersonic and hypersonic systems. Funded by a mix of government R&D organizations, commercial customers, and private funding, Specter is a growing aerospace and defense startup. Close relationships with MIT, Notre Dame, AFRL, NRL, ANL, and other research organizations provide access to cutting‑edge developments, facilities, and personnel. Specter is expanding its team in preparation for flight testing and full‑scale production. Role & Responsibilities: Reporting to the Director of Flight Sciences, serve as the lead GNC engineer, supporting multiple hypersonic vehicle development programs Develop six degree‑of‑freedom (6DOF) simulations using MATLAB/Simulink, C++, or other suitable programming language Design and evaluate GNC algorithms for the control of high‑speed airbreathing vehicles Perform GNC‑related analyses of high‑speed airbreathing vehicles to assess flight performance Develop software‑/hardware‑in‑the‑loop (SWIL/HWIL) capabilities to aid in design, analysis, and verification of high‑speed systems Support trajectory optimization and analysis efforts (3DOF/6DOF) Coordinate with modeling and simulation team to support survivability/employment analyses in a classified setting Other duties as assigned by the company Job Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related discipline 5+ years of relevant full‑time experience Experience developing modeling and simulation tools, including 6DOF simulations of high speed systems Proficient in C++ and a higher‑level language (python, MATLAB, etc.) Strong understanding of GNC fundamentals and applications to high‑speed flight Experienced across the Guidance, Navigation, and Control Domains Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required) Desired Skills Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline Experience transitioning guidance algorithms from development to flight Experience in Verification and Validation (V&V) of simulation models Experience leading GNC activities for high‑speed flight vehicle design Experience developing weapon systems Experience supporting ground and flight test efforts including SWIL/HWIL activities Active DoD security clearance More About Specter Aero: *All new employees must be able to pass a pre‑employment drug screen and background check #J-18808-Ljbffr