GNC Engineer Jobs
GNC Engineer jobs are open across aerospace, defense, and space exploration companies, from new-grad to senior and principal levels, with specializations in attitude control, trajectory design, and navigation systems. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 157+ GNC Engineer jobs
About Varda
Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About This Role
As a Senior Space GNC Engineer, you will own the full life cycle of GNC development at Varda, from design through to unit, hardware-in-the-loop, on-vehicle functionality, and flight testing. You will perform system analyses, including simulations and Monte Carlo, to satisfy specifications and requirements and to drive system-level architectural and business decisions. You will contribute to a sophisticated multi-degree of freedom in-house aerospace simulation and test framework and develop and maintain design descriptions and supporting documentation. You'll see end to end execution of the GNC subsystem from initial analysis/design through vehicle integration, mission planning and flight through support of on-orbit and reentry mission operations.
Responsibilities
- ADCS hardware performance specification including sizing of reaction wheels, torque rods, IMU/GPS, and star trackers
- Design and implementation of autonomous satellite attitude control, collision avoidance, orbital rendezvous, burn planning and atmospheric re-entry algorithms
- Perform trajectory design, optimization, and dispersion analysis for the reentry of a space capsule
- Develop 6 degree of freedom vehicle simulation using C++, Python and MATLAB/Simulink
- Running Monte Carlo analysis to characterize performance of new vehicle and mission capabilities
- Integration and testing of GNC sensors, actuators, and software in hardware-in-the-loop environment
- Design and implementation of ground tooling necessary to facilitate fully automated maneuver responsibility and maneuver scheduling decisions
- Monitoring on-orbit system performance; troubleshooting where necessary
- Coordination with other spacecraft operators, 3rd party agencies, and the US government
Basic Qualifications
- B.S. degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, physics, or related field
- 5+ proven years of experience, or PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience
- Demonstrated knowledge in designing, modeling, testing, and flying aerospace guidance, navigation, and control systems
- Highly adept software and model development skills, particularly in C++/Python
- Understanding of orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development
- Experience anchoring/fitting first principles models to test data or high-fidelity external simulations
- Proven system engineering and configuration management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master's degree in engineering or physics
- Experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control system design
- Experience with GMAT, POST2, or similar tools
- Understanding of multi-body dynamics, flexible body dynamics, gas dynamics, fluids, and thermodynamics
- Experience developing and verifying physical models for the purpose of control design, component sizing, and system performance evaluation
- Experience supporting safety critical flight tests or spacecraft
- Ability to continuously manage risk and provide solutions with lean and state of the art software development techniques
Pay Range
- Salary range: Senior GNC: $169,067 - $216,031/per year
- This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
- Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
- You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards
ITAR Requirements
Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
"US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).
E-Verify Statement
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
Read more Read more
Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
About Varda
Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About This Role
As a Senior Space GNC Engineer, you will own the full life cycle of GNC development at Varda, from design through to unit, hardware-in-the-loop, on-vehicle functionality, and flight testing. You will perform system analyses, including simulations and Monte Carlo, to satisfy specifications and requirements and to drive system-level architectural and business decisions. You will contribute to a sophisticated multi-degree of freedom in-house aerospace simulation and test framework and develop and maintain design descriptions and supporting documentation. You'll see end to end execution of the GNC subsystem from initial analysis/design through vehicle integration, mission planning and flight through support of on-orbit and reentry mission operations.
Responsibilities
- ADCS hardware performance specification including sizing of reaction wheels, torque rods, IMU/GPS, and star trackers
- Design and implementation of autonomous satellite attitude control, collision avoidance, orbital rendezvous, burn planning and atmospheric re-entry algorithms
- Perform trajectory design, optimization, and dispersion analysis for the reentry of a space capsule
- Develop 6 degree of freedom vehicle simulation using C++, Python and MATLAB/Simulink
- Running Monte Carlo analysis to characterize performance of new vehicle and mission capabilities
- Integration and testing of GNC sensors, actuators, and software in hardware-in-the-loop environment
- Design and implementation of ground tooling necessary to facilitate fully automated maneuver responsibility and maneuver scheduling decisions
- Monitoring on-orbit system performance; troubleshooting where necessary
- Coordination with other spacecraft operators, 3rd party agencies, and the US government
Basic Qualifications
- B.S. degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, physics, or related field
- 5+ proven years of experience, or PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience
- Demonstrated knowledge in designing, modeling, testing, and flying aerospace guidance, navigation, and control systems
- Highly adept software and model development skills, particularly in C++/Python
- Understanding of orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development
- Experience anchoring/fitting first principles models to test data or high-fidelity external simulations
- Proven system engineering and configuration management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master's degree in engineering or physics
- Experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control system design
- Experience with GMAT, POST2, or similar tools
- Understanding of multi-body dynamics, flexible body dynamics, gas dynamics, fluids, and thermodynamics
- Experience developing and verifying physical models for the purpose of control design, component sizing, and system performance evaluation
- Experience supporting safety critical flight tests or spacecraft
- Ability to continuously manage risk and provide solutions with lean and state of the art software development techniques
Pay Range
- Salary range: Senior GNC: $169,067 - $216,031/per year
- This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
- Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
- You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards
ITAR Requirements
Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
"US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).
E-Verify Statement
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
Read more Read more
Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
See All 157+ GNC Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find GNC Engineer JobsGNC Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman20
- SpaceX10
- Pivotal7
- Rocket Lab USA7
- Amazon6
Top Industries Hiring
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Retail
- Aerospace & Defense
- Technology & Software
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in GNC engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field
- Proficiency in MATLAB and Simulink for GNC algorithm development and simulation
- Experience with six-degree-of-freedom dynamics modeling and verification
- Familiarity with Kalman filtering, state estimation, and sensor fusion techniques
- Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance for defense and government programs
- Knowledge of flight software integration and hardware-in-the-loop testing environments
Tips for Your GNC Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to each mission type
GNC roles in launch vehicles differ sharply from satellite or missile defense work. Align your resume to the mission domain in each posting, emphasizing the relevant dynamics environments, sensor types, and control architectures you've actually worked with.
Highlight your simulation and modeling tools
Employers filter hard on tools. Call out MATLAB, Simulink, STK, or any in-house six-degree-of-freedom simulation environments by name in your resume's skills section, and tie each tool to a specific project outcome rather than listing them in isolation.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists gnc engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for hardware-in-the-loop interview questions
Many GNC interviews include a scenario where you walk through how your algorithm performs when sensor data degrades or actuators saturate. Practice explaining your fault-detection logic and fallback modes out loud before the technical screen.
Get the full picture on clearance requirements early
A large share of defense GNC postings require an active Secret or Top Secret clearance. If you hold one, make it visible in your resume header. If you're clearable but don't yet hold one, clarify your citizenship status upfront to avoid late-stage disqualification.
Follow up after a technical interview with specifics
GNC hiring managers respond well to follow-up notes that reference a technical point from the interview, such as a tradeoff you discussed or an additional approach you thought of afterward. It signals genuine engagement with the problem, not a generic thank-you.
GNC Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most gnc engineers?
The companies hiring the most gnc engineers right now include Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, and Pivotal, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Colorado, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Activity tends to cluster around programs in active development phases, so the mix of employers shifts as contracts are awarded and mission timelines accelerate.
How many gnc engineer jobs are remote?
About 38% of gnc engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on hardware and lab requirements that most GNC roles carry. Sub-specializations in algorithm development, mission analysis, and simulation modeling are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements, since that work is software-centered and doesn't depend on proximity to test hardware.
How do you become a gnc engineer?
Start with a degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering, then build hands-on experience with dynamics modeling and control system design through coursework, capstone projects, or internships. Develop fluency in simulation tools and estimation theory. Many practitioners strengthen their foundations with a master's degree focused on orbital mechanics, control systems, or autonomy before moving into industry roles.
How do you get hired as a gnc engineer with little experience?
Focus on demonstrating technical depth through personal or academic projects, such as a CubeSat attitude control simulation or a quadrotor stabilization build, since employers often value evidence of applied thinking over years on a résumé. Internships at aerospace primes or space startups are the most direct path, and many companies actively recruit from university satellite teams and rocketry clubs.
What does the gnc engineer interview process look like?
Most GNC interview processes include an initial recruiter screen, a technical phone or video interview covering dynamics, control theory, and estimation, and then an onsite or virtual loop with engineering staff. Expect at least one problem where you design or critique a control loop under constraints. Some employers add a coding exercise in MATLAB or Python and a presentation of a past project.
Where can I find and apply to gnc engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to gnc engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 157+ GNC Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find GNC Engineer Jobs