Senior GNC Engineer - Launch Vehicles

Senior GNC Engineer – Launch Vehicles - Denver, CO

The Company:

Have you ever wanted to be part of a start-up culture, but perhaps within a company that has established itself with financial stability and overcome some of the start-up company challenges?

Our client is continuing to scale its uniquely, small team further, as they are continuing to see success with all of their current customers, and simultaneously adding new customers all the time.

Engineers get the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects and be an intricate part of cool and exciting missions, often owning projects. Frequently splitting their time with various types of projects, engineers within this organization also get the opportunity to further develop and learn new skills every day.

The Job:

Senior GNC Engineer – Launch Vehicles – Guidance, Navigation & Control Systems for Rockets (Subsonic to Hypersonic Regimes)

Responsibilities:

• System Architecture & Design: Lead the conceptual and detailed design of GNC architectures for rocket systems, ensuring integration with propulsion, structures, and avionics
• Regime-Specific GNC Solutions: Develop and validate GNC strategies tailored to subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flight regimes, addressing aerodynamic, aerodynamic, and control challenges
• Algorithm & Control System Development: Design and implement guidance algorithms, navigation filters, and control laws for high-precision trajectory execution
• Simulation & Validation: Coordinate / support the use of CFD, flight dynamics, and control simulations to evaluate performance, stability, and robustness across regimes
• Integration & Trade Studies: Collaborate with systems engineers to integrate GNC with vehicle design, optimizing for mass, power, and cost while meeting mission requirements
• Testing & Certification: Develop and support the execution of test plans for GNC systems, including ground and flight testing, to ensure compliance with safety and performance standards
• Data Analysis & Troubleshooting: Analyze telemetry and performance data to diagnose anomalies and refine GNC performance
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work with software, structural, and propulsion teams to ensure seamless GNC integration and compatibility
• Regulatory & Certification Support: Contribute to certification documentation and compliance with aerospace standards (e.g., FAA Part 450)

Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizen (or Permanent Resident) is required due to the nature of the work
• BS/MS/PhD in Aerospace or similar degrees from accredited universities
• 10+ years in GNC architecture, with proven design and integration experience across subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flight regimes.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in guidance systems, control theory, navigation algorithms, flight dynamics, CFD, CFD tools
• Domain Knowledge: Deep understanding of rocket aerodynamics, propulsion integration, and hypersonic flight dynamics. Demonstrated expertise in compressible air flow dynamics, aeroelasticity, and simulation
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong mathematical and analytical skills for system-level trade studies and optimization.
• Project Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading GNC architecture teams, managing schedules, and delivering on-time, on-budget designs.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrated experience with customer interaction including verbal and written communication & coordination of deep technical detail.
• Travel required for this position. Based in Boulder CO, occasional travel as needed.