GNC Engineer (Contract)

Overview

SET Development is supporting a confidential aerospace client seeking a GNC Engineer to contribute to the design, analysis, and validation of satellite Guidance, Navigation, and Control systems. This is a REMOTE, contract role.

This is a hands-on engineering role across the full spacecraft lifecycle — from requirements and modeling through integration, testing, and mission support. You’ll work alongside experienced engineers solving real flight problems, not just theoretical models.

If you’ve built simulations, worked with spacecraft dynamics, or touched control systems in a meaningful way — this is where you level up.

What You’ll Do

GNC Engineering (Core – ~50%)

• Contribute to the design and implementation of spacecraft GNC systems across new and existing platforms
• Work across sensors, actuators, control algorithms, and flight software integration
• Support requirements development and flow-down across subsystem components
• Participate in design activities spanning spacecraft, payloads, and integration environments
• Drive reuse of existing system architectures while identifying where new design is required
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams (systems, software, hardware, integration)

Simulation & Modeling (Major Focus – ~40%)

• Develop and maintain high-fidelity simulation environments for spacecraft performance analysis
• Build models integrating GNC algorithms, sensors, actuators, and flight software
• Perform Monte Carlo analysis, covariance analysis, and closed-loop performance validation
• Support mission trade studies and system-level performance verification
• Automate simulation workflows to improve iteration speed and engineering throughput
• Document models, assumptions, and validation results for design reviews

Additional Contributions (~10%)

• Support product line evolution and design standardization efforts
• Assist in anomaly resolution, troubleshooting, and system improvements
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiency and design optimization

What You Bring

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Math, or related STEM field
• 3+ years (BS) or 1+ year (MS) in GNC, aerospace, or control systems engineering
• Experience with MATLAB / Simulink (strong preference)
• Working knowledge of spacecraft dynamics, control systems, or simulation environments
• Programming experience in C/C++, Python, or similar
• Exposure to verification, validation, or system-level testing

Preferred

• Experience with STK (Systems Tool Kit) or similar tools
• Background in spacecraft or aerospace systems (vs. purely academic controls work)
• Familiarity with flight software or embedded systems integration
• Experience supporting real hardware or mission programs (big differentiator)

Other Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
• Active clearance (Secret+) is a strong plus
• Willingness to travel up to ~20% (including occasional international collaboration)