Senior Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer
Core
Own the full life cycle of GNC development for Varda's W-Series vehicles, from design through flight testing and on-orbit operations.
Role type
Senior IC spacecraft GNC engineer
Builds
Autonomous satellite attitude control, collision avoidance, orbital rendezvous, burn planning, and atmospheric re-entry algorithms for reentry capsules and satellites
Domain
Aerospace / Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Controls
Required skills
System analysis and simulation (Monte Carlo), trajectory design and optimization, 6-DOF vehicle simulation, C++/Python/MATLAB, orbital mechanics, hardware-in-the-loop integration, sensor/actuator sizing
Preferred skills
Spacecraft attitude determination and control system design, GMAT/POST2 tools, multi-body and flexible body dynamics, safety-critical flight test support
Technologies
C++, Python, MATLAB/Simulink, GMAT, POST2
Responsibilities
Design and implement autonomous satellite attitude control and re-entry algorithms; Perform trajectory design and dispersion analysis; Develop 6-DOF vehicle simulations; Integrate and test GNC sensors and software in hardware-in-the-loop; Monitor on-orbit system performance and troubleshoot; Coordinate with spacecraft operators and government agencies
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC
