Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking an experienced
Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer to support the development of advanced aerospace and defense systems. This individual will contribute to the design, analysis, testing, and implementation of GN&C algorithms for next-generation space, hypersonic, and autonomous vehicle programs.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in flight dynamics, control systems, modeling and simulation, and software development. This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies in a fast-paced, highly collaborative engineering environment. This is a
fully onsite position in Seal Beach, CA. Candidates must hold an
active TS/SCI security clearance.Responsibilities Include:- Design, implement, and validate guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for aerospace and defense platforms.
- Develop and maintain high-fidelity six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) simulations and modeling environments.
- Build and validate flight software utilizing MATLAB, Simulink, C/C++, and related development tools.
- Apply astrodynamics and flight mechanics principles to mission planning, trajectory design, and performance analysis.
- Support development of atmospheric flight control, re-entry guidance, navigation, and autonomy algorithms.
- Develop powered and unpowered guidance laws for advanced vehicle applications.
- Perform system analysis, troubleshooting, testing, and anomaly resolution.
- Create technical documentation, simulation products, concepts of operations, and test procedures.
- Collaborate with systems, software, avionics, integration, and test engineering teams.
- Identify opportunities for automation, process improvement, and reusable engineering solutions.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related STEM field.
- 5+ years of experience supporting aerospace, spacecraft, missile, aircraft, autonomous systems, or similar vehicle programs.
- Experience developing GN&C algorithms, simulations, and analysis tools.
- Proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink.
- Experience programming in C/C++, Python, and/or C#.
- Strong understanding of control systems, flight dynamics, and system modeling.
- Active TS/SCI security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications- Master's degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
- 10+ years of relevant engineering experience.
- Experience supporting spacecraft operations, orbital mechanics, re-entry systems, or hypersonic flight vehicles.
- Familiarity with state estimation and sensor fusion techniques, including Kalman filtering.
- Experience with GPS/INS navigation systems and flight instrumentation.
- Knowledge of classical, modern, and nonlinear control theory.
- Model-based development and verification experience.
- Flight test support experience.
- Experience working in rapid prototyping or advanced research and development environments.
Desired Skills- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience working in fast-paced environments with evolving requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Salary and Benefits Include:- Salary Range: $120,000-160,000+ depending on experience
- Full Benefits: Cigna Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, PTO, Sick Leave if required by law, and Holidays
Keywords: GN&C, Guidance Navigation & Control, Aerospace Engineering, Flight Dynamics, MATLAB, Simulink, C++, Python, Space Systems, Hypersonics, Control Systems, Astrodynamics, TS/SCI Clearance.
