GNC Engineer III (Controls), Alpha
Firefly Aerospace, Cedar Park, TX, United States
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.
SUMMARY
As a Senior GNC Engineer specializing in controls and autonomy at Firefly, you will design and implement advanced control systems and autonomous flight software for operational launch vehicles. In this role, you will develop and tune attitude control software, support hardware-in-the-loop testing and system integration, and provide technical leadership while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. This position combines advanced control theory, real-time embedded systems development, and hands‑on flight operations support while mentoring junior engineers in a fast‑paced operational environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Design, analyze, and tune launch vehicle attitude control software to ensure stable flight from launch to orbit
Implement control techniques for mission‑critical flight phases using thrust vector control actuators, reaction control thrusters, and aerodynamic surfaces
Develop control systems accounting for complex launch vehicle dynamics including aerodynamic effects, structural flex modes, propellant slosh, and control structure interaction
Establish technical standards and validation methodologies for control system design, software development, and hardware-in-the-loop testing
Conduct stability analysis, sensitivity studies, and performance optimization for control systems under nominal and off-nominal flight conditions
Support hardware-in-the-loop test campaigns for integrated GNC systems including control algorithm validation, flight software verification, and system-level performance testing
Drive resolution of complex GNC challenges requiring deep technical expertise and rapid problem-solving
Provide technical direction on system architecture and serve as subject matter expert for launch vehicle control
Mentor junior engineers in control theory and flight software development
Author technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate GNC concepts and results to diverse audiences
Interface with cross-discipline teams to integrate control software with vehicle hardware
Serve as a GNC console operator for launch operations and perform post-flight analysis to improve vehicle models
Champion continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes, tools, and operational efficiency
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
5-10 years of experience in launch vehicle GNC systems with significant depth in attitude control system design or flight software development
Advanced knowledge of attitude dynamics and control theory, including rotational dynamics, attitude representations, control moment generation, and stability analysis
Strong understanding of classical control theory and frequency domain analysis techniques
Expertise in real-time software development using C++ for flight-critical applications
Experience developing high-fidelity actuator models and attitude control system testbeds
Proficiency in hardware-in-the-loop testing and requirement verification for flight-critical systems
Understanding of software development best practices including version control (Git), code documentation, and testing
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Master's degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, or related field
Experience architecting and implementing control systems for operational launch vehicles from development through flight
Expertise in advanced control techniques such as nonlinear control methods, optimal control, model predictive control, or adaptive control applied to launch vehicle applications
Hands‑on experience with launch vehicle actuator systems including thrust vector control actuators, reaction control thrusters, and aerodynamic surfaces
Advanced knowledge of state estimation techniques including Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, and covariance analysis
Advanced knowledge of numerical methods for control law tuning, root-solving, and parameter optimization
Experience with modern flight software frameworks and real-time operating systems
Software engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control, code review, testing, documentation, and CI/CD workflows
Proficiency in Python for scripting, data analysis, and automation
Working knowledge of launch vehicle systems and mission operations
Proven ability to develop junior engineers while managing technical responsibilities
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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SUMMARY
As a Senior GNC Engineer specializing in controls and autonomy at Firefly, you will design and implement advanced control systems and autonomous flight software for operational launch vehicles. In this role, you will develop and tune attitude control software, support hardware-in-the-loop testing and system integration, and provide technical leadership while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. This position combines advanced control theory, real-time embedded systems development, and hands‑on flight operations support while mentoring junior engineers in a fast‑paced operational environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Design, analyze, and tune launch vehicle attitude control software to ensure stable flight from launch to orbit
Implement control techniques for mission‑critical flight phases using thrust vector control actuators, reaction control thrusters, and aerodynamic surfaces
Develop control systems accounting for complex launch vehicle dynamics including aerodynamic effects, structural flex modes, propellant slosh, and control structure interaction
Establish technical standards and validation methodologies for control system design, software development, and hardware-in-the-loop testing
Conduct stability analysis, sensitivity studies, and performance optimization for control systems under nominal and off-nominal flight conditions
Support hardware-in-the-loop test campaigns for integrated GNC systems including control algorithm validation, flight software verification, and system-level performance testing
Drive resolution of complex GNC challenges requiring deep technical expertise and rapid problem-solving
Provide technical direction on system architecture and serve as subject matter expert for launch vehicle control
Mentor junior engineers in control theory and flight software development
Author technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate GNC concepts and results to diverse audiences
Interface with cross-discipline teams to integrate control software with vehicle hardware
Serve as a GNC console operator for launch operations and perform post-flight analysis to improve vehicle models
Champion continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes, tools, and operational efficiency
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
5-10 years of experience in launch vehicle GNC systems with significant depth in attitude control system design or flight software development
Advanced knowledge of attitude dynamics and control theory, including rotational dynamics, attitude representations, control moment generation, and stability analysis
Strong understanding of classical control theory and frequency domain analysis techniques
Expertise in real-time software development using C++ for flight-critical applications
Experience developing high-fidelity actuator models and attitude control system testbeds
Proficiency in hardware-in-the-loop testing and requirement verification for flight-critical systems
Understanding of software development best practices including version control (Git), code documentation, and testing
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Master's degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, or related field
Experience architecting and implementing control systems for operational launch vehicles from development through flight
Expertise in advanced control techniques such as nonlinear control methods, optimal control, model predictive control, or adaptive control applied to launch vehicle applications
Hands‑on experience with launch vehicle actuator systems including thrust vector control actuators, reaction control thrusters, and aerodynamic surfaces
Advanced knowledge of state estimation techniques including Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, and covariance analysis
Advanced knowledge of numerical methods for control law tuning, root-solving, and parameter optimization
Experience with modern flight software frameworks and real-time operating systems
Software engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control, code review, testing, documentation, and CI/CD workflows
Proficiency in Python for scripting, data analysis, and automation
Working knowledge of launch vehicle systems and mission operations
Proven ability to develop junior engineers while managing technical responsibilities
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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