GNC Engineer
True Anomaly is a company focused on building innovative technology for space security and sustainability. They are seeking a GNC Engineer to own the development of Guidance, Navigation, and Control systems, design GNC flight software, and collaborate across teams to ensure integration of GNC functionalities.
Responsibilities
- Own all aspects of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) system development, including architecture definition, algorithm design, verification, hardware integration, and on-orbit operations
- Design, test, and validate GNC flight software and embedded algorithms for spacecraft operating in LEO, GEO, and other orbit regimes
- Develop and maintain spacecraft Attitude and Orbit Determination & Estimation (AOD/AOE) algorithms, including sensor fusion and filtering frameworks (e.g., EKF, UKF, batch least-squares)
- Conduct trade studies and provide design recommendations for GNC hardware such as reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, sun sensors, IMUs, and RF/optical navigation sensors
- Develop GNC algorithms and implement them in flight software; verify performance and robustness through high-fidelity simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and hardware-in-the-loop testing
- Design, implement, and improve high-fidelity 6-DOF simulation environments for SIL, HIL, and advanced mission analysis
- Utilize and enhance frequency-domain and time-domain control analysis tools to ensure stability margins, disturbance rejection, and performance in off-nominal conditions
- Define system- and subsystem-level GNC requirements, interfaces, and verification plans in collaboration with systems engineering
- Work cross-functionally with avionics, propulsion, software, mission operations, and systems teams to ensure seamless integration of GNC functionality
- Support on-orbit commissioning, system calibration, maneuver planning, and anomaly resolution throughout mission operations
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related field
- 0 - 6 years of relevant GNC Engineering experience in the aerospace and defense industry
- Coursework or project experience in spacecraft attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, and control systems
- Strong understanding of physics, attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, and software development principles
- Internship or project experience in GNC, control systems, or simulation development
- Experience with C++ and/or Python for algorithm development, numerical methods, or simulation
- Familiarity with spacecraft GNC concepts, such as sensors, actuators, state estimation, and control laws
- Exposure to filtering or estimation methods (e.g., Kalman filters) through internships, coursework, or projects
- Ability to build, test, and debug software and simulation tools
- Strong analytical skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment
- Demonstrated ability to take ownership of tasks and learn new concepts quickly
- Master's degree in aerospace engineering or equivalent discipline
- 4+ years experience developing and/or producing GNC systems for space applications
- Experience with closed-loop control, orbital maneuvering, filtering, state estimation, fault management, and software development
- Experience developing simulation environments for spaceflight physics
- Experience with flight operations and solving problems real-time on console
- Experience performing line of sight performance analysis such as jitter, smear, and pointing accuracy
- Experience doing hands-on GNC hardware testing
- Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI US government security clearance
Benefits
- Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave
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