Guidance Navigation & Controls Automation EngineerHouston, TX
About The PositionIntuitive Machines is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer to join our team. In this role, the candidate will contribute to the design, development, and testing of the GNC system for the Lunar Data Network (LDN) spacecraft, which will provide navigation and communications services to lunar users. This position will support real-time GNC flight software development, flight control automation, HWIL sensor and effector integration, performance analysis, and testing.
Responsibilities:- Contribute to the design, development, and testing of GNC automation for the LDN spacecraft
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across software and hardware systems
- Develop, test, and peer review GNC flight software in C and C++
- Support the selection, assessment, and integration of GNC sensors and effector systems
- Execute and analyze 6-DOF simulations to evaluate expected on-orbit performance
- Support navigation HWIL sensor and effector integration and testing for the LDN satellite constellation
- Assist in real-time flight software development, integration, and testing for the LDN satellite
Qualifications:- BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field with 3-7 years of relevant experience
- Experience developing spacecraft automation software
- Experience with real-time software development
- Familiarity with GN&C hardware including IMU, Star Trackers, GPS, LIDAR, and/or OpNav systems
- Experience with SWIL and/or HWIL testing and integration
- Exposure to relative navigation, image processing, or feature detection techniques
- Experience supporting flight control analysis and evaluating vehicle performance and stability
- Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Python
- Experience with GN&C sensor testing, planning, or modeling
- Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment
- Foundational knowledge of spacecraft dynamics and orbital mechanics
- Experience with JIRA and Agile development processes
- Familiarity with VxWorks or other real-time operating systems is a plus
- Experience with Git version control preferred
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and documentation skills
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively
Preferred Qualifications:- Hands-on experience with navigation sensor hardware, Kalman filtering, LIDAR, real-time software, Monte Carlo analysis, and C/C++ or Python
- Experience contributing to GNC development efforts on spacecraft or satellite programs
- Prior experience working with or supporting satellite systems
