Engineering Manager, Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC)

YOUR MISSION

This is a rare opportunity to serve as both a technical leader and a hands-on practitioner. As Engineering Manager of GNC, you will build and grow a world-class GNC team while remaining deeply embedded in the technical work yourself. You will architect systems, make design decisions, and write code alongside the engineers you lead. If you thrive at the intersection of leadership and engineering craft, this role was built for you.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership & Growth

• Build, lead, and mentor a growing GNC team, establishing technical standards, hiring strategy, and a culture of engineering excellence
• Define team structure and resourcing to support an expanding portfolio of missions across LEO, MEO, and GEO orbits
• Collaborate across software, algorithms, and systems engineering teams in Denver and Los Angeles to deliver integrated solutions

Hands-On Technical Contribution

• Serve as a practicing GNC engineer, contributing directly to algorithm development, analysis, and design -- not just reviewing the work of others
• Own the full GNC development lifecycle, from concept and algorithm design through integration, test, and on-orbit operations
• Lead and personally contribute to trade studies for GNC components including IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, and propulsion systems
• Develop and implement GNC system fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) strategies
• Integrate GNC and RPO (rendezvous and proximity operations) capabilities into flight software, working hands-on with software and algorithm teams

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or equivalent discipline
• 10+ years of experience developing, producing, and managing GNC systems for aerospace applications
• Extensive understanding of aerospace GNC architectures, sensors, and actuators
• Experience with control structure interaction, filtering, state estimation, fault management, and software development
• Strong foundation in physics and attitude dynamics
• Demonstrated ability to lead a GNC team through development, integration, and test of a GNC subsystem
• Proven track record of contributing individually as an engineer, not solely in a supervisory capacity
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoW TS/SCI clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or equivalent discipline
• 15+ years of experience developing and/or producing GNC systems for space applications
• Cradle-to-grave development of three-axis stabilized spacecraft incorporating momentum exchange, magnetic, and propulsive control
• Low-thrust trajectory optimization for orbital maneuvering
• Line-of-sight performance analysis including jitter, smear, and pointing accuracy
• Experience with RPO and safety-of-flight operations
• Proficiency in C++ and object-oriented programming
• Ability to identify and solve complex problems with minimal supervision

COMPENSATION

• Colorado Base Salary: $180,000 - $250,000
• California Base Salary: $185,000 - $260,000
• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave 

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location—This is a hybrid position, successful candidates will be located near Long Beach, CA or Denver, CO. 
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below.
#LI-Hybrid