Sr. GNC Engineer

About the role

You will architect and verify guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) architectures that ensure stability and precision across the full envelope of endo- and exo-atmospheric interceptors. Working inside the rapid development cadence of Long Wall Company, you will translate high-level mission requirements into robust control laws and real-time software implementations. You will own the analysis, design, and validation of flight control systems from initial concept through hardware-in-the-loop and flight test. You will collaborate daily with mechanical, fluid, and electrical engineers to resolve interface challenges and optimize system performance. Your decisions will directly influence the reliability and test success of containerized launch platforms that enable mass production. You will contribute to the creation of flight-ready GNC solutions that meet stringent safety and performance criteria under tight schedules. This role places you at the center of deploying distributed missile defense capabilities that are lower cost, higher performing, and more broadly tested. Your work will be visible in every mission and critical to shaping the future of responsive defense.

Key facts

What you'll do

Develop high-fidelity models of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, and propulsion to inform control design and trade studies.

Design and implement flight control algorithms for attitude determination, guidance, and trajectory shaping in three operational regimes.

Integrate GNC hardware and software components with mechanical, fluid, and electrical subsystems during system-level testing.

Conduct failure mode and hazard analysis to identify control-related risks and implement mitigation strategies.

Support the development and execution of verification test plans that validate performance against mission requirements.

Create analysis reports and design documentation that clearly communicate trade studies, assumptions, and results to multidisciplinary teams.

Participate in the qualification and acceptance testing of flight control systems in simulated and real-world environments.

Apply modern control theory and estimation techniques to solve problems involving uncertainty, dynamics, and sensor noise.

Collaborate with test engineers to debug anomalies and refine models using flight and test data.

Champion continuous improvement by updating processes, tools, and methods to accelerate delivery without compromising safety.

Support the integration of containerized systems into broader test and deployment infrastructure.

Translate programmatic constraints into feasible control solutions that meet schedule, cost, and performance targets.

Contribute to the technical roadmap for next-generation launch platforms and flight test campaigns.

Mentor junior engineers by providing clear guidance, review, and constructive feedback on GNC-related tasks.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in guidance, navigation, and control for aerospace systems, with a focus on flight vehicles.

Proficient in control system design, including classical and modern methods such as PID, linear quadratic regulator, and robust control techniques.

Strong background in dynamics and control theory, with the ability to model dynamic systems and analyze stability and performance.

Experience with simulation tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent environments for modeling and closed-loop testing.

Proven ability to develop and integrate flight software for real-time control applications, often using C or C++ languages.

Clear understanding of sensor systems including inertial measurement units, GPS, and other navigation aids, and their role in state estimation.

History of working on hardware-in-the-loop or flight test campaigns that validate control system performance.

Eligibility for U.S. government security clearance, with the ability to meet the associated personnel security requirements.

U.S. citizenship is required due to the nature of the defense technologies being developed and operated.

Demonstrated record of taking total ownership of technical tasks and seeing them through to successful completion.

Commitment to maintaining rigorous engineering practices, including traceability, verification, and documentation.

A team-oriented mindset that values collaboration across mechanical, electrical, and fluid engineering domains.

Drive to learn complex systems quickly and apply creative solutions under demanding technical and schedule constraints.

Adherence to engineering standards and best practices, ensuring safety, reliability, and reproducibility in all deliverables.

Nice to have

Experience with containerized or rapidly deployable launch systems and related test infrastructure.

Familiarity with missile defense programs, requirements, or operational concepts.

Background in fault detection, isolation, and recovery systems for flight-critical applications.

Knowledge of defense testing environments, ranges, and regulatory constraints.

Experience with digital twin approaches or real-time simulation platforms that connect GNC and system-level testing.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in Long Beach, California.

U.S. citizenship is required.

Eligibility for a U.S. government security clearance is required.

The role may involve travel to secure facilities, test sites, and government locations as needed for mission and program activities.

Employment is contingent on successful completion of background checks and clearance eligibility.

The position aligns with the company's rapid development and flight test schedule, requiring flexibility and readiness for dynamic priorities.