GNC Engineer (Starfall)

About the role

SpaceX is hiring engineers to build guidance, navigation, and control systems for Starfall, a capsule focused on logistics and in-space manufacturing. You will write production-grade code to manage entry, descent, and landing operations for these vehicles.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Create and maintain GNC algorithms, simulation tools, and services using C++ or Python.
• Perform architecture reviews and code audits.
• Analyze flight and simulation data to assess system performance.
• Design trajectories for entry vehicles and optimize guidance logic.
• Develop algorithms for atmospheric entry, descent, and landing.
• Implement navigation and state estimation for reentry and recovery.
• Manage attitude determination and control across orbital and atmospheric flight phases.
• Coordinate multi-vehicle logistics and recovery operations.
• Integrate GNC systems with broader vehicle architectures for military and manufacturing missions.
• Produce technical documentation for algorithms and analysis.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in computer science, physics, aerospace, or an engineering field.
• Minimum 1 year of software development experience in C++ or Python.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to meet ITAR requirements.
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as required.

Nice to have

• Master degree or PhD in physics or engineering.
• Proven track record of deploying software into real-world applications.
• Experience with atmospheric entry GNC for reentry vehicles.
• Background in orbital mechanics, deorbit planning, and trajectory optimization.
• Proficiency in validating GNC algorithms against atmospheric, thermal, and aerodynamic models.
• Experience with state estimation using IMU, GNSS, radar, or optical sensors.
• Familiarity with hypersonic flight, aeroheating, and precision landing.
• Understanding of spacecraft disciplines including avionics, propulsion, structures, and mission operations.

Skills & tools

• C++
• Python
• GNC algorithms
• State estimation
• Orbital mechanics
• Atmospheric entry physics

Practical notes

• Salary Level I: $125,000 - $150,000 per year.
• Salary Level II: $145,000 - $175,000 per year.
• Total rewards include long-term incentives, stock options, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave.
• Includes 3 weeks of paid vacation and 10+ paid holidays per year.