Principal GNC Engineer
Firefly Aerospace, Granite Heights, WI, United States
SUMMARY
As a Principal GNC Engineer at Firefly, you will serve as a technical authority on launch vehicle GNC systems enabling missions to low Earth orbit and beyond. This technical leadership role requires an authoritative knowledge base in launch vehicle GNC disciplines, with a proven track record of solving the most complex GNC challenges on operational missions. In this role, you will drive technical strategies and capability development, provide authoritative technical review and guidance, and mentor engineers at all levels. This position balances hands‑on technical contribution with strategic leadership, offering the opportunity to influence system architectures from concept through operations, represent Firefly’s technical excellence to customers and executive leadership, and solve unique problems that push the boundaries of spaceflight.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Serve as a technical authority on the guidance, navigation, and control of launch vehicles, providing expertise across programs and domains
Develop and validate novel GNC methodologies, tools, and best practices for complex or unprecedented mission requirements
Lead resolution of the most challenging GNC problems across the organization
Provide authoritative technical review and oversight of launch vehicle GNC designs, changes, and risks
Establish technical standards for mission design, software development, testing, and requirement verification
Drive GNC strategy and roadmap development, identifying capability gaps, investment priorities, and opportunities for adopting emerging technology
Initiate and execute continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes, tools, and operational efficiency
Represent GNC expertise in executive‑level technical reviews, mission milestone reviews, customer meetings, and proposal efforts
Participate in critical technical work including algorithm development, test campaign execution, and mission operations support
Mentor and develop engineers at all levels, cultivating the next generation of technical leaders
QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering or related field, or bachelor’s degree with substantial technical accomplishments demonstrating analytical rigor equivalent to graduate research
10+ years of experience in launch vehicle GNC with demonstrated expertise and technical leadership across multiple programs
Demonstrated experience supporting operational launch vehicle missions through multiple flight campaigns
Mastery of launch vehicle dynamics with deep expertise in a specialization area combined with strong understanding across GNC domains
Experience developing strategic vision, technical roadmaps, and capability development initiatives for GNC teams
Proficiency in the development of flight software and physics simulations for spaceflight applications
Software engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control, code review, testing, documentation, and CI/CD
Proficiency with Python, C++, Linux, and specialized tools and libraries relevant to domain
Comprehensive knowledge of launch vehicle subsystems and their impact on GNC design and performance
Demonstrated ability to elevate the technical capabilities of engineers through mentorship, developing high performers who strengthen the organization around them
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with an ability to convey complex technical concepts to executives, customers, and non-technical stakeholders
PhD with research contributions advancing a specialization area relevant to launch vehicle GNC
Background as a technical leader on operational launch vehicle programs from development through multiple successful flights
Deep expertise in advanced techniques relevant to specialization
Demonstrated proficiency across multiple GNC specialization areas
Proven ability to influence technical direction and drive consensus across multidisciplinary organizations
Skill in communicating with program management, customers, and executives in both technical and business forums
Experience leading or supporting anomaly investigations and resolving flight‑critical GNC issues
History of applying technical expertise to achieve customer mission success and initiate new business opportunities
Innovation through patents or technical contributions in specialization area
Track record of thought leadership through publications, presentations, or contributions to industry state‑of‑the‑art
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.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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As a Principal GNC Engineer at Firefly, you will serve as a technical authority on launch vehicle GNC systems enabling missions to low Earth orbit and beyond. This technical leadership role requires an authoritative knowledge base in launch vehicle GNC disciplines, with a proven track record of solving the most complex GNC challenges on operational missions. In this role, you will drive technical strategies and capability development, provide authoritative technical review and guidance, and mentor engineers at all levels. This position balances hands‑on technical contribution with strategic leadership, offering the opportunity to influence system architectures from concept through operations, represent Firefly’s technical excellence to customers and executive leadership, and solve unique problems that push the boundaries of spaceflight.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Serve as a technical authority on the guidance, navigation, and control of launch vehicles, providing expertise across programs and domains
Develop and validate novel GNC methodologies, tools, and best practices for complex or unprecedented mission requirements
Lead resolution of the most challenging GNC problems across the organization
Provide authoritative technical review and oversight of launch vehicle GNC designs, changes, and risks
Establish technical standards for mission design, software development, testing, and requirement verification
Drive GNC strategy and roadmap development, identifying capability gaps, investment priorities, and opportunities for adopting emerging technology
Initiate and execute continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes, tools, and operational efficiency
Represent GNC expertise in executive‑level technical reviews, mission milestone reviews, customer meetings, and proposal efforts
Participate in critical technical work including algorithm development, test campaign execution, and mission operations support
Mentor and develop engineers at all levels, cultivating the next generation of technical leaders
QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering or related field, or bachelor’s degree with substantial technical accomplishments demonstrating analytical rigor equivalent to graduate research
10+ years of experience in launch vehicle GNC with demonstrated expertise and technical leadership across multiple programs
Demonstrated experience supporting operational launch vehicle missions through multiple flight campaigns
Mastery of launch vehicle dynamics with deep expertise in a specialization area combined with strong understanding across GNC domains
Experience developing strategic vision, technical roadmaps, and capability development initiatives for GNC teams
Proficiency in the development of flight software and physics simulations for spaceflight applications
Software engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control, code review, testing, documentation, and CI/CD
Proficiency with Python, C++, Linux, and specialized tools and libraries relevant to domain
Comprehensive knowledge of launch vehicle subsystems and their impact on GNC design and performance
Demonstrated ability to elevate the technical capabilities of engineers through mentorship, developing high performers who strengthen the organization around them
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with an ability to convey complex technical concepts to executives, customers, and non-technical stakeholders
PhD with research contributions advancing a specialization area relevant to launch vehicle GNC
Background as a technical leader on operational launch vehicle programs from development through multiple successful flights
Deep expertise in advanced techniques relevant to specialization
Demonstrated proficiency across multiple GNC specialization areas
Proven ability to influence technical direction and drive consensus across multidisciplinary organizations
Skill in communicating with program management, customers, and executives in both technical and business forums
Experience leading or supporting anomaly investigations and resolving flight‑critical GNC issues
History of applying technical expertise to achieve customer mission success and initiate new business opportunities
Innovation through patents or technical contributions in specialization area
Track record of thought leadership through publications, presentations, or contributions to industry state‑of‑the‑art
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.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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