Staff GNC Engineer Verified today

About True Anomaly

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

The Role

You will 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 and 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 and 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
• Support on-orbit commissioning, calibration, maneuver planning, fault investigation, and anomaly resolution
• Mentor junior engineers, lead design and code reviews, and help establish GNC best practices, tools, and development standards

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related discipline (advanced degree preferred)
• 12+ 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
• Deep understanding of spacecraft attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, environmental perturbations, and actuator and sensor physics
• Significant experience with estimation and filtering (EKF, UKF, batch least squares), sensor fusion, covariance analysis, and navigation performance assessment
• Experience designing control laws and performing stability, robustness, and frequency-domain analysis
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain complex high-fidelity simulations and Monte Carlo frameworks
• Experience testing and integrating GNC algorithms with flight hardware, including star trackers, IMUs, reaction wheels, GNC avionics, and propulsion components
• Experience defining subsystem requirements, verification plans, and participating in formal design reviews
• Ability 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

Benefits

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options
• Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees; accrued PTO up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays, Parental Leave, and Sick Leave
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees
• 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays
• Equity participation as part of total compensation package