About the role

  • Principal GNC Engineer at Firefly Aerospace providing technical leadership for launch vehicle guidance, navigation, and control systems. Developing methodologies and mentoring engineers to solve complex challenges in space missions.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a technical authority on the guidance, navigation, and control of launch vehicles, providing expertise across programs and domains
  • Develop and validate novel GNC methodologies, tools, and best practices for complex or unprecedented mission requirements
  • Lead resolution of the most challenging GNC problems across the organization
  • Provide authoritative technical review and oversight of launch vehicle GNC designs, changes, and risks
  • Establish technical standards for mission design, software development, testing, and requirement verification
  • Drive GNC strategy and roadmap development, identifying capability gaps, investment priorities, and opportunities for adopting emerging technology
  • Initiate and execute continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes, tools, and operational efficiency
  • Represent GNC expertise in executive-level technical reviews, mission milestone reviews, customer meetings, and proposal efforts
  • Participate in critical technical work including algorithm development, test campaign execution, and mission operations support
  • Mentor and develop engineers at all levels, cultivating the next generation of technical leaders

Requirements

  • Master's degree or PhD in aerospace engineering or related field, or bachelor's degree with substantial technical accomplishments demonstrating analytical rigor equivalent to graduate research
  • 10+ years of experience in launch vehicle GNC with demonstrated expertise and technical leadership across multiple programs
  • Demonstrated experience supporting operational launch vehicle missions through multiple flight campaigns
  • Mastery of launch vehicle dynamics with deep expertise in a specialization area combined with strong understanding across GNC domains
  • Experience developing strategic vision, technical roadmaps, and capability development initiatives for GNC teams
  • Proficiency in the development of flight software and physics simulations for spaceflight applications
  • Software engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control, code review, testing, documentation, and CI/CD
  • Proficiency with Python, C++, Linux, and specialized tools and libraries relevant to domain
  • Comprehensive knowledge of launch vehicle subsystems and their impact on GNC design and performance
  • Demonstrated ability to elevate the technical capabilities of engineers through mentorship, developing high performers who strengthen the organization around them
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with an ability to convey complex technical concepts to executives, customers, and non-technical stakeholders

Benefits

  • generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
  • parental leave
  • educational reimbursement
  • short term disability
  • flexible PTO options

Job title

Principal GNC Engineer

Job type

Experience level

Lead

Salary

Not specified

Degree requirement

Postgraduate Degree

Tech skills

Location requirements

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