SUMMARY As a Spacecraft GNC Engineer at Firefly, you will design, analyze, and operate the GNC systems of operational spacecraft. In this role, you will develop GNC flight and simulation software, perform analyses, and support mission operations while continuing to build breadth across core GNC competencies. This position offers hands-on experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control systems, onboard navigation, sensor and actuator modeling, and real-time mission operations across multiple spacecraft. You will deepen your technical capabilities and refine your desired career trajectory, taking ownership of system elements and software tools as you grow toward a senior GNC role at Firefly.
RESPONSIBILITIES - Develop and validate GNC software to ensure successful spacecraft mission execution
- Tune and configure GNC algorithms for all phases of spacecraft flight
- Perform 6DOF simulation analysis of nominal and dispersed flight profiles
- Develop and maintain simulation models for sensors, actuators, and environmental effects
- Create tools to automate workflows, process simulation and flight data, and generate technical reports
- Conduct stability analysis, sensitivity studies, and hardware-in-the-loop testing of GNC under nominal and off-nominal conditions
- Interface with cross-discipline teams to integrate GNC software with spacecraft hardware
- Serve as a GNC console operator for spacecraft operations and perform post-mission analysis to improve spacecraft models
- Author technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate GNC concepts and results to diverse audiences
- Build proficiency across core GNC competencies while contributing to continuous improvement of GNC processes and tools
QUALIFICATIONS Required - Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or related field
- 2-5 years of professional experience in spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control, or related technical discipline
- Understanding of spacecraft orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, state estimation, attitude dynamics, and sensor modeling
- Familiarity with numerical simulation techniques, integration methods, and modeling of dynamic systems
- Experience with Python for scripting, data analysis, and visualization
- Experience with C++ for real-time or flight-critical applications
- Understanding of software development best practices including version control (Git), code documentation, and testing
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Desired - Advanced degree (master's or PhD) in aerospace engineering or related field with focus on GNC
- Experience supporting spacecraft GNC across development, integration, and mission operations
- Proficiency in C++ for embedded systems or real-time applications
- Knowledge of state estimation techniques including Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, and covariance analysis
- Knowledge of numerical optimization and targeting methods applied to attitude and translational control design
- Familiarity with modern flight software frameworks and real-time operating systems
- Familiarity with CI/CD workflows and automated testing practices
- Experience with Linux development environments and command-line tools
- Exposure to spaceflight mission operations or spacecraft commissioning
Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options. 
