Senior GNC Engineer

About the role

This role owns the guidance, navigation, and control stack for autonomous aircraft at Astro Mechanica. The position collaborates across disciplines to define system architecture and validate performance through simulation and flight. Success supports government programs that close aircraft performance gaps using proprietary propulsion and airframe technologies.

Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.

Key facts

What you'll do

The system architecture and control mechanisms are shaped through trade studies with propulsion, structures, and avionics teams. Six-degree-of-freedom dynamics models are built to analyze and validate vehicle behavior across conditions. Tools for automating control design, monte carlo analysis, and simulation validation are created to accelerate verification. Cross-functional collaboration ensures GNC implications are understood across engineering disciplines.

Flight and ground test operations are supported to execute and iterate on vehicle performance. Post flight and test reviews correlate predictions with real-world results to continuously improve analytical models and control performance.

Requirements

A master's degree or PhD in robotics, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related discipline is required. At least 5+ years of professional experience in GNC development for aerospace or autonomous vehicle programs must be demonstrated.

Dynamics, modeling, and simulation experience is mandatory. Software development best practices underpin implementation of control algorithms and tooling. Algorithm design for autonomous vehicles guides approach to system-level decision-making. Fly-by-wire control design for aircraft is part of the responsibility stack. Mentoring junior engineers on GNC concepts and methods is expected. Communication across disciplines clarifies GNC implications and incorporates their constraints.

Interest and drive to work on all aspects of the GNC stack are necessary. Thriving in a fast-paced environment is essential to delivering timely results.

Practical notes

This role requires US citizenship or permanent residency and may involve travel. Work is performed primarily onsite in San Francisco five days a week. Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Good to know

Roles in this field rely on strong dynamics modeling and simulation skills. Control architecture decisions influence safety, testability, and real-world performance. Toolchains often include simulation, scripting, and version-controlled software practices. Cross-functional teamwork is central to integrating hardware and software. Rapid iteration defines progress in high-performance aerospace programs.

Career growth

Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.

About the company

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable.