Senior GNC Engineer

About the role

Venus Aerospace stands at the forefront of aerospace innovation, driving the next generational leap in rocket engine propulsion since the Apollo era. Our pioneering work centers on the Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets, technologies that deliver unprecedented efficiency and performance. We are forging propulsion platforms that unlock new possibilities in space exploration, defense applications, and commercial high-speed travel. Our team is defined by a relentless pursuit of engineering excellence and a passion for redefining the boundaries of aerospace. We seek bold engineers and innovators ready to shape the future of propulsion and make enduring history. You will be the first GNC engineer to implement Thrust Vector Control on a Rotating Detonation Engine vehicle, navigating the ambiguity of a brand-new propulsion regime. This role requires you to architect the guidance, navigation, and control stack that ensures the vehicle meets its precise trajectory and maneuverability objectives. You will translate high-level mission requirements into robust flight software architectures capable of handling the unique dynamics of detonation propulsion. Ultimately, you will ensure this powerful new technology successfully flies and maneuvers, setting the standard for future generations of aerospace vehicles.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect the guidance, navigation, and control architecture for next-generation propulsion systems that redefine performance boundaries.
• Design and implement intake pipeline data processing algorithms that convert complex sensor data into stable attitude estimates essential for detonation hardware stability.
• Define and establish build procedures that enable robust hardware-in-the-loop validation under the unique and demanding conditions of rotating detonation testing.
• Conduct rigorous reviews of control models to verify performance margins and stability criteria prior to full vehicle integration and flight.
• Orchestrate ship-level activities required to transition prototypes from initial design stages through rigorous testing and into flight-qualified configurations.
• Establish and align partner processes to synchronize vehicle requirements across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring coherence between propulsion, structures, and GNC.
• Champion tooling for test execution monitoring during critical engine calibration campaigns to capture nuanced system behaviors in real time.
• Implement advanced estimators, including filters and observers, capable of handling the inherent uncertainty and non-linear dynamics within rotating detonation propulsion systems.
• Ensure rigorous documentation standards are followed to maintain absolute traceability from mission objectives and system requirements to final flight results and test reports.
• Drive the development of fault detection and recovery strategies specific to detonation engine anomalies to protect vehicle and mission integrity.
• Lead the integration of inertial navigation sensors with propulsion control systems to achieve precise and reliable vehicle attitude determination.
• Analyze flight test data to refine control algorithms, iterating on designs to improve performance, stability, and efficiency for subsequent test campaigns.
• Collaborate with flight software and avionics teams to ensure seamless data flow and timing between navigation solutions and vehicle command and control infrastructure.
• Perform trade studies evaluating guidance laws and navigation architectures, selecting optimal solutions for the demanding constraints of high-speed propulsion testing.
• Mentor junior engineers in GNC best practices, fostering a culture of technical excellence, rigorous analysis, and proactive problem-solving within the Houston team.

Requirements

• Bring a minimum of seven years of hands-on experience in guidance, navigation, and control roles within aerospace or related high-tech sectors.
• Demonstrate a history of working with engine hardware and sensor feedback within actual flight projects, showing a deep understanding of real-world implementation challenges.
• Possess the capability to interpret intricate technical constraints and convert them into robust, reliable control system solutions that perform under pressure.
• Exhibit a strong command over mathematical modeling for rigid body dynamics, orbital mechanics, and navigation filters to accurately predict vehicle behavior.
• Show proficiency with programming environments specifically used for rapid control prototyping, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and real-time simulation platforms.
• Have a proven track record of delivering reliable, high-assurance systems in demanding engineering environments where failure is not an option.
• Hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, as the role requires immediate engagement on sensitive defense and commercial projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with detonation phenomena or high-speed intake configurations is highly desirable and provides critical advantages in navigating the unique challenges of this propulsion technology.
• Familiarity with the specific challenges posed by rotating detonation engines, including pressure wave dynamics and thermal management considerations.

Skills and Tools

• Core skills include control design, mathematical modeling, validation, documentation, and cross-functional coordination essential for synchronizing complex aerospace programs.
• You will utilize these skills to ensure the highest standards of system integrity, performance, and safety are met throughout the entire development lifecycle.
• Proficiency with tools for modeling dynamic systems, analyzing frequency response, and verifying control stability is critical for success in this role.
• Experience with version control and collaborative software development practices to manage evolving control software and configuration baselines.
• Strong analytical and diagnostic abilities to troubleshoot issues during testing and rapidly implement effective corrective actions.

Practical Information

• Please note that this position requires availability for extended work hours during critical testing and integration milestones to ensure project success.
• We encourage candidates who meet this challenge to apply and contribute to a new era in aerospace propulsion.