GNC Engineer, Simulation (Swarm/Vehicle)
$90,000–$135,000 year
On-siteGolden, Colorado, United States
Job Summary
Develop highly reliable, performant simulation infrastructure, physics models, tools, and dashboards in C++ and Python. Build and own the hardware-out-of-the-loop (HOOTL) framework that runs actual flight software against a high-fidelity physics world, implementing the physics truth model with verified, force-continuous fidelity switches. Develop tile sensor and actuator suite models consistent with GNC physics, emulate distributed multi-rate node graphs, and guarantee identical flight C++ object execution in simulation and on target. Build Monte Carlo and scenario campaign tooling, run regression and verification campaigns that gate control and navigation claims, and integrate subsystem models with analysis and embedded-software teams through design and code reviews. Support flight operations by maintaining sim-to-flight correlation and reproducing on-orbit behavior for anomaly investigation. Extend the framework to assembled spacecraft, modeling vehicle-level dynamics, changing inertia of reconfiguring structures, and the absolute space environment.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or other relevant engineering discipline
- Software development experience in C++ and Python
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee, or Asylee (or eligible for required authorizations)
- Capable of identifying and solving complex problems with little to no supervision or direction in a fast-paced, start-up environment
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree in an engineering discipline, computer science, or physics
- 2+ years (Engineer) or 5+ years (Senior Engineer)
- Experience developing high-fidelity 6DOF Monte Carlo simulations of aerospace vehicles, including numerical integration (e.g., RK4) and rigid-body contact and constraint dynamics
- Real-time and embedded software development; multi-rate, multi-core systems and deterministic scheduling
- Writing portable C++ that compiles and runs identically on host and on microcontroller targets
- Hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop test rigs, including sensor and actuator emulation
- Data pipelines, time-series databases, and dashboards (e.g., InfluxDB, Grafana); DDS or similar inter-process/inter-node middleware
- Working fluency in GNC and controls concepts — dynamics, estimation, and feedback control — sufficient to model them faithfully
- Proven ability to develop, test, and deploy software for real-world space/robotic applications, with proficiency in version control systems like Git
- Passionate about solving hard problems, building things, and advancing the space industry
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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