GNC Engineer

Job Description:

Job Description:Senior GNC EngineerSan Francisco, CA | Onsite | Small Launch & Propulsion A well-backed space company is hiring a Senior GNC Engineer to help take ownership of the algorithms and systems that fly their rockets. This is a tight-knit team that designs, simulates, and tests the full guidance, navigation, and control stack across their orbital launch vehicles. This role is ideal for someone who’s already developed GNC algorithms in a fast-paced environment, and wants broader ownership over how those systems behave in the real world. You won’t just be writing code in a vacuum. You’ll be defining requirements, collaborating with cross-functional teams, helping with component and interface decisions, supporting launches from mission control, and tuning models based on live test and flight data. The company is small enough that your work has real impact, but mature enough that launches are routine and the flight software is solid. If you’re looking for hands-on, end-to-end GNC work on systems that fly, this is worth a look. What you'll be doing Designing and implementing guidance, control, and estimation algorithmsBuilding models and full vehicle simulations in SimulinkTesting across multiple environments including HIL and engine cellsOwning large portions of the GNC architecture across the full vehicle lifecycleSupporting real launches from mission controlAnalyzing test and flight data to validate models and improve system performanceCollaborating with software, propulsion, avionics, and systems teams to align design and test coverage You’ll need 5+ years of GNC or flight dynamics experience in aerospaceBackground in Simulink and either C++ or PythonUnderstanding of real-time systems, aerospace dynamics, and simulationA hands-on approach and strong communication skillsA degree in engineering, physics, or a similar technical field Nice to have Experience integrating GNC code into flight softwareTechnical leadership or ownership of a full GNC stackFamiliarity with fast-paced or startup-style development environments Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.