Principal Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo,  we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on.  Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.

The Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer will lead the development of an entirely new GNC architecture for Space Kinetic’s first-of-its-kind spacecraft platform. You will own the GNC subsystem across its full lifecycle, from early concept development and algorithm design through simulation, hardware integration, verification, and mission operations. You will lead a cross-functional GNC team and collaborate with flight software, systems engineering, test, leadership, and external partners to deliver an integrated hardware and software solution.

Job Responsibilities:

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

What It Takes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 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 cross-functionally across spacecraft subsystems and interface directly with commercial or government aerospace customers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

What We’d Love:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with flight software frameworks such as NASA cFS, F´, or custom architectures.
• Familiarity with model-based systems engineering and interface control documentation.

• The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year).