GNC Engineer III, Launch Vehicles

Job Description

ABOUT Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch land and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond As the partner of choice for critical space missions Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24 hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing 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 at Firefly Aerospace you will design and implement advanced control systems autonomous flight software and guidance algorithms for operational launch vehicles In this role you will develop and tune attitude control software design and optimize trajectories and support hardware in the loop testing and system integration 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 orbitImplement control techniques for mission critical flight phases using thrust vector control actuators reaction control thrusters and aerodynamic surfacesDevelop control systems accounting for complex launch vehicle dynamics including aerodynamic effects structural flex modes propellant slosh and control structure interactionDesign analyze and optimize launch vehicle trajectories to maximize performance within operational and vehicle constraintsDevelop and implement launch vehicle guidance algorithms for powered ascent and orbital insertionConduct stability analysis sensitivity studies and performance optimization for control systems under nominal and off nominal flight conditionsConduct statistical trajectory analysis to quantify performance margins and validate system robustness to off nominal flight conditionsEstablish technical standards and validation methodologies for control system design software development and hardware in the loop testingSupport hardware in the loop test campaigns for integrated GNC systems including control algorithm validation flight software verification and system level performance testingDrive resolution of complex GNC challenges requiring deep technical expertise and rapid problem solvingProvide technical direction on system architecture and serve as subject matter expert for launch vehicle control and trajectoriesMentor junior engineers in control theory flight software development trajectory optimization and mission designAuthor technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate GNC concepts and results to diverse audiencesInterface with cross discipline teams to integrate control software with vehicle hardware and balance trajectory requirements with vehicle capabilities and operational constraintsServe as a GNC console operator for launch operations and perform post flight analysis to improve vehicle modelsChampion continuous improvement initiatives for GNC processes tools and operational efficiency QUALIFICATIONS Required Bachelors degree in aerospace engineering mechanical engineering electrical engineering computer science or related field5 10 years of experience in launch vehicle GNC systems with significant depth in attitude control system design flight software development trajectory design mission planning or guidance algorithm developmentAdvanced knowledge of attitude dynamics and control theory including rotational dynamics attitude representations control moment generation and stability analysisStrong understanding of classical control theory and frequency domain analysis techniquesExpertise in real time software development using C for flight critical applicationsExperience developing high fidelity actuator models and attitude control system testbedsAdvanced knowledge of launch vehicle flight mechanics and high fidelity modeling of gravity aerodynamics and propulsionStrong understanding of numerical optimization and targeting methods applied to trajectory simulation and mission designExperience conducting mission trade studies feasibility analysis and performance verification for launch vehicle missionsProficiency in hardware in the loop testing and requirement verification for flight critical systemsFamiliarity with software development best practices including version control Git code documentation and testingStrong proficiency in one or more trajectory design software tools POST OTIS TAOS or similarProficiency in Python for scripting data analysis and automationDesired Masters degree or PhD in aerospace engineering mechanical engineering electrical engineering applied mathematics or related fieldExperience architecting and implementing control systems for operational launch vehicles from development through flightExpertise in advanced control techniques such as nonlinear control methods optimal control model predictive control or adaptive control applied to launch vehicle applicationsHands on experience with launch vehicle actuator systems including thrust vector control actuators reaction control thrusters and aerodynamic surfacesAdvanced knowledge of state estimation techniques including Kalman filtering sensor fusion and covariance analysisAdvanced knowledge of numerical methods for control law tuning root solving and parameter optimizationExperience with modern flight software frameworks and real time operating systemsSoftware engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control code review testing documentation and CICD workflowsWorking knowledge of launch vehicle systems and mission operationsProven ability to develop junior engineers while managing technical responsibilitiesTrack record of thought leadership through publications presentations or contributions to industry state of the artFirefly 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 US Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ITAR you must be a US citizen lawful permanent resident of the US protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324ba3 or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the US 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 originethnicity veteran status disability status age sexual orientation gender identity marital status mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status