Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer
GTN Technical Staffing
Broomfield, CO
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JOB DETAILS
LOCATION
Broomfield, CO
POSTED
30+ days ago
Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer
Highlights:
Location: Broomfield, CO
Employment Type: Direct-hire
Compensation: BOE
About the Role
Our client is seeking a GNC Engineer to support the design, development, testing, and in-orbit operation of guidance, navigation, and control systems for rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) spacecraft, as well as Space Domain Awareness (SDA) platforms. This role combines expertise in orbital mechanics, sensor fusion, optimal control, spacecraft systems, and software development to implement high-precision algorithms that enable autonomous spacecraft operations. The engineer will work closely with hardware, software, and mission teams to develop end-to-end solutions for complex in-space operations.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture and Investigation
- Architect autonomous GNC solutions to meet space mission objectives, including SDA and RPOD operations
- Evaluate and select algorithmic approaches using machine learning, physics-informed methods, stochastic techniques, and Kalman filters
- Support feasibility analysis for proposals and collaborate with government agencies, DoD, commercial partners, and other stakeholders
Architecture Design
- Lead trade studies and design GNC system architecture from concept through flight
- Develop algorithms, modeling, and simulation tools for orbit determination, state estimation, uncertainty propagation, and sensor fusion
- Analyze and source datasets for algorithm training and validation
- Build six-degree-of-freedom spacecraft dynamics simulations, sensor models, and visualization tools for RPOD and SDA missions
Implementation
- Collaborate with software and hardware teams to implement GNC algorithms in flight software
- Support hardware-in-the-loop testing for integrated system validation
- Design concepts of operations (CONOPS) addressing spacecraft thermal, power, momentum, and communication constraints
- Provide mission operations training and support for operational spacecraft
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical engineering discipline (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or related field)
- 5+ years of experience in guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) for spacecraft or aerospace systems
- Hands-on software development experience in Python
- Proven experience developing, debugging, and deploying GNC sensors, actuators, and algorithms in operational applications
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, autonomous, and high-demand environment
- Demonstrated success leading projects from concept to completion
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with end-to-end spacecraft design, testing, verification/validation, and in-orbit mission operations
- Expertise in guidance, navigation, or control subsystems
- Experience in multi-body astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and spacecraft dynamics
- Proficiency with Git, Linux, and Basilisk software framework
- Software development experience in C/C++
- Ability to analyze and solve complex technical problems with minimal supervision
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and cross-team collaboration
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet project schedules and mission milestones
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