GNC Engineer, Navigation-focused
Stratolaunch · Mojave, CA · Posted Jul 9, 2026
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Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. Our air-launched, Talon testbeds are reusable, cost-effective platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment. We deliver flight data critical to validating system performance and achieving rapid technology deployment. Together with our customers, we drive innovations that are imperative to advancing national security.
To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Sr, Staff, or Principal Level Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer, with a focus in navigation, to participate in the development of hypersonic vehicle flight control systems. You will contribute to the design, development, requirements verification, and test execution for hypersonic vehicle flight control systems. This position will include evaluation of a broad range of technical data.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Development and evaluation of advanced algorithms to satisfy navigation requirements
Development of navigation models and simulations to predict navigation performance
Perform analyses to verify algorithm designs meet requirements
Contributions to aspects of the overall flight control system design, development, implementation, integration, and test
Development of engineering tools, as needed, to complete the tasking
Regular and comprehensive communication to the Vehicle Management System and GNC Leads
Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments
QUALIFICATIONS SKILLS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Qualifications:
Experience with navigation system design, development and testing on aerospace systems
Experience in Kalman filtering, Extended Kalman filtering, and other estimation techniques
Experience implementing tightly coupled GPS aided strapdown navigation solutions
Experience building navigators to operate in contested environments and resilience approaches
Experience with inertial measurements systems and common errors, drifts, and biases
Experience developing and anchoring navigation simulation models to flight test data
Familiarity with design robustness to address reset, initialization, dropout, and outlier rejection
Familiarity with Anti-Jam approaches for modern GPS receivers such as CRPAs
Familiarity with transfer alignment approaches for missile systems on military platforms
Fundamental knowledge and understanding of flight dynamics and GPS technology
Experience with software development processes and methodologies
Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within business goals
Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Required Computer Skills:
Proficient with Matlab and Simulink
Proficient with revision control tools (Git, Bitbucket)
Proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience implementing and troubleshooting closed loop GPS simulations in HIL environments
Experience fusing multiple navigation aiding sources including non-GPS based data sources
Experience with alternative aiding approaches for denied or degraded environments (e.g. TDOA)
Experience implementing mitigations to electronic attack, and navigation signal spoofing in hardware and software for navigation systems
Experience with cold start, warm start, and hot start for GPS systems
Experience estimating wind relative angles utilizing synthetic air data and navigator states
Experience with hypersonic or near-hypersonic missile or launch vehicle design
Familiarity with P(Y) and M code GPS receivers and cryptographic keying of GPS receivers
Familiarity with adjoint methods for miss distance decomposition and allocation
Familiarity with trackers, target discrimination and classification, and aimpoint refinement
Familiarity with collaborative navigation and targeting utilizing missile-to-missile datalinks
Algorithm requirements development, design, implementation, test, and post-flight analysis
Advanced degree with technical focus in GNC relevant areas
TS/SCI security clearance
Preferred Computer Skills:
Familiar with C/C++ and Python
EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
Sr-level ($120,500-$158,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
Staff Level ($157,000-$206,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 10-20 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
Principal Level ($181,000-$237,200): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 20-25 years of engineering e…