Principal GNC Engineer

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least 7 years of experience developing spacecraft GNC systems.
• Experience supporting spacecraft or satellite development and operations across the full project lifecycle.
• Experience developing GNC algorithms, conducting simulations, and performing hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Ability to work across spacecraft subsystems and interface directly with commercial or government aerospace customers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
• Applicants must meet the stated U.S. export-control eligibility criteria or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.
• Preferred: Masters degree or PhD in aerospace engineering or a related field.
• Preferred: Experience with flight software frameworks such as NASA cFS, F′, or custom architectures.
• Preferred: Familiarity with model-based systems engineering and interface control documentation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead our GNC team and own the subsystem architecture, development schedule, requirements, interfaces, and technical milestones.
• Design and implement GNC algorithms for flight software and support integration with our spacecraft platform.
• Lead GNC hardware trade studies and component selection, and integrate internally and externally developed hardware and software.
• Conduct design analyses, Monte Carlo simulations, and hardware-in-the-loop testing to assess and validate system performance.
• Lead subsystem verification and validation across simulation, testbed, and flight environments.
• Develop or contribute to ground tools for mission and constellation management.
• Collaborate with subcontractors, internal teams, and senior leadership, and support internal and external design reviews.

Technologies:

• Hardware
• Support
• Security

More

We are Space Kinetic, a dual-use space technology startup developing a new architecture for space operations. Our approach aims to bring the low-cost, flexible, distributed advantages of drone technology to space missions while reducing reliance on consumable fuel, using spacecraft that can deploy multiple payloads at high velocities without firing a thruster. As Principal GNC Engineer, you will lead development of the GNC architecture for our first-of-its-kind spacecraft platform, working with flight software, systems engineering, test teams, leadership, and external partners. This is an onsite position at our headquarters in El Segundo, California, with domestic travel of up to 20% possible. We ask for urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment; this is not a traditional 40-hour-workweek role. Compensation is $195,000–$250,000 USD annually, with individual pay determined by factors including job-related skills, education, experience, certifications, abilities, and internal equity. We offer equity-based compensation, a 401(k) plan with a 3.5% company match, competitive paid time off, paid holidays and winter break, medical, dental, and vision insurance, and performance-based bonus opportunities. We provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to legally protected status.

last updated 43 week of 2026