True Anomaly logo

GNC Engineer

True Anomaly

Laguna Beach, CAJob$115–290K/yrPosted 2w agoVerified open 3 days ago

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

At a glance

Compensation
$115–290K/yr
Location
Laguna Beach, CA
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Ability To Obtain And Maintain TS/SCI US Government Security ClearanceTS/SCI clearanceBachelor's degree

Job overview

True Anomaly is hiring a GNC Engineer. True Anomaly seeks talent and ambition to build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space‑based interceptors that secure the space environment for the U.S. and its allies.

Key focus areas include Own all aspects of GNC system development for missile systems, Design, test, and validate GNC flight software and embedded algorithms, and Develop and maintain navigation and state estimation algorithms with sensor fusion.

Important skills include C++, Python, EKF, UKF, Particle Filters, and Sensor Fusion. Preferred (not required): Terminal Guidance Algorithms (preferred), Proportional Navigation Variants (preferred), and Optimal Guidance Theory (preferred).

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

C++PythonEKFUKFParticle FiltersSensor FusionIMUGPS/INSSeeker DataProportional NavigationAugmented PNOptimal Guidance6-DOF SimulationMonte Carlo AnalysisHardware-in-the-Loop TestingFrequency-Domain Control AnalysisTime-Domain Control AnalysisTerminal Guidance AlgorithmsTarget TrackingMiss Distance PredictionTime-to-Go EstimationEndgame Steering LogicAerodynamic ModelingCFD CorrelationAeroservoelastic AnalysisGain SchedulingAdaptive ControlNonlinear ControlINS/GPS IntegrationSensor CalibrationAlignment AlgorithmsError Budget AnalysisFlight Software DevelopmentReal-Time Control SystemsSimulation ToolsHardware IntegrationTest PlanningTelemetry AnalysisFlight Data ReconstructionLine-of-Sight Stability AnalysisJitterNoise RejectionSeeker Tracking PerformanceMISSILE DATCOMMIL-STD-1553MIL-STD-1760Guidance Navigation and ControlProportional Navigation Variants (Preferred)Optimal Guidance Theory (Preferred)

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering or Physics or Related Field5+ Years GNC Engineering ExperienceCoursework or Project Experience in Flight Dynamics Aerodynamics Control Systems and State EstimationAbility to Obtain and Maintain TS/SCI US Government Security ClearanceMaster's Degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering Control Systems or Equivalent DisciplineActive TS/SCI Clearance With PolygraphU.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident or Eligible for Required AuthorizationsWork Location Near Denver CO or Long Beach CA

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off
401(k) Match
Parental Leave

Full job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

  • Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.

  • What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.

  • It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together. RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Own all aspects of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) system development for missile systems, including architecture definition, algorithm design, verification, hardware integration, flight test support, and operational deployment.

  • Design, test, and validate GNC flight software and embedded algorithms for missiles operating across multiple flight regimes and environmental conditions.

  • Develop and maintain navigation and state estimation algorithms, including sensor fusion frameworks (e.g., EKF, UKF, particle filters) integrating IMU, GPS/INS, seeker data, and other sensor modalities to provide high-rate, high-accuracy state estimates throughout the engagement timeline.

  • Develop guidance laws (proportional navigation, augmented PN, optimal guidance) and autopilot designs; implement them in flight software; verify performance and robustness through high-fidelity 6-DOF simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and flight test correlation.

  • Design, implement, and maintain high-fidelity simulation environments capturing aerodynamics, propulsion, atmospheric effects, target dynamics, sensor models, and actuator dynamics for SIL, HIL, and mission analysis across the full flight envelope.

  • Utilize frequency-domain and time-domain control analysis techniques to ensure stability margins.

  • Develop terminal guidance algorithms for intercept of maneuvering targets, including target tracking, aimpoint selection, miss distance prediction, time-to-go estimation, and endgame steering logic. QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or related field

  • 5+ years of relevant GNC engineering experience in the aerospace and defense industry, preferably with tactical missile systems, interceptors, or guided munitions

  • Coursework or project experience in flight dynamics, aerodynamics, control systems, and state estimation

  • Strong understanding of physics, rigid body dynamics, intercept geometry, proportional navigation, and real-time software development principles

  • Experience with C++ and/or Python for algorithm development, numerical methods, real-time control, or simulation

  • Familiarity with missile GNC concepts including guidance laws, autopilot design, sensor fusion, inertial navigation, seeker operation, and aerodynamic/thrust vector control

  • Exposure to filtering and estimation methods (e.g., Kalman filters, complementary filters, INS/GPS integration) through internships, coursework, or projects

  • Ability to build, test, and debug flight software, real-time control systems, and simulation tools

  • Strong analytical skills with emphasis on dynamics, controls, and numerical methods; ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering environment

  • Demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex technical problems and drive solutions from concept through flight test

  • Ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI US government security clearance PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Master's degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, control systems, or equivalent discipline

  • Experience with terminal guidance algorithms, proportional navigation variants, optimal guidance theory, or modern guidance techniques

  • Experience developing autopilot designs for agile missiles including gain scheduling, adaptive control, or nonlinear control methods

  • Experience with INS/GPS integration, sensor calibration, alignment algorithms, and error budget analysis

  • Experience with aerodynamic modeling, CFD correlation to flight data, or aeroservoelastic analysis

  • Experience developing and executing hardware-in-the-loop test campaigns with flight representative GNC hardware

  • Flight test experience including test planning, instrumentation selection, telemetry analysis, and flight data reconstruction

  • Experience with intercept kinematics, target tracking, miss distance analysis, and covariance propagation

  • Experience performing line-of-sight stability analysis including jitter, noise rejection, and seeker tracking performance

  • Hands-on experience with GNC hardware integration, sensor characterization, and actuator calibration

  • Familiarity with missile-specific tools and standards (e.g., MISSILE DATCOM, MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760)

  • Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph COMPENSATION

  • Base Salary: $115,000 - $290,000

  • Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Work Location —This is an onsite position, Successful candidates will be located near Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA
  • Work environment —the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
  • Physical demands —the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving. This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below.

#LI-Onsite

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.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.