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# GNC Engineer - Top Secret Clearance

- **Company:** Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
- **Location:** Hawthorne, CA, United States
- **Salary:** $125,000.0 - $150,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Automation of Tests, C++ (Programming Language), Software Debugging, Systems Analysis, Python (Programming Language), Performance Tuning, Software Architecture, Software Engineering, Modeling and Simulation, C++14
- **Published:** July 10, 2026
- **Apply:** https://careersingovernment.com/job/1935668/gnc-engineer-top-secret-clearance/

## About the Role

* Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
 * 1+ years of professional experience with modeling and simulation
 * Software development experience in C++ or Python

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

 * Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance
 * Demonstrated experience with writing scalable software in a team setting
 * Strong modern software design and development skills
 * Professional programming experience in modern C++ (C++14 and above)
 * Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
 * Demonstrated experience in developing state estimation algorithms
 * Demonstrated experience in RF communication
 * Demonstrated experience in developing and presenting compelling analyses of complex trades
 * Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
 * Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively
 * Demonstratedexperience in debugging, performance optimization, and test automation
 * Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

## Description

As a guidance, navigation, and control mission design engineer, you will be responsible for designing and implementing physics-based system-of-systems simulation software, capable of capturing complex interactions between a wide variety of space vehicles, ground systems, and environments. You will design CONOPS and drive program-level requirements for large multi-vehicle missions. This is a high-impact role in which you will work across engineering groups, taking extreme ownership of critical trades and design decisions. We are looking for engineers who enjoy solving complex problems, can work effectively in a fast-paced environment, and are passionate about advancing the space industry., * Build software tools and construct scenarios to perform system-of-systems performance analysis of architectures that include satellites, sensors, communications, and ground infrastructure

 * Conduct analyses and recommend designs that balance competing requirements
 * Develop 6-DOF dynamics simulation models used for GNC systems analysis and validation
 * Develop physics-based models for simulation of RF communications and sensor systems
 * Assess feasibility of various designs in support of architecture definition
 * Create a library of space and ground systems models, for inclusion in the simulation environment
 * Act as a cross-disciplinary expert, ensuring that the system can meet mission objectives
 * Communicate technical capabilities and analyses with internal stakeholders and external customers
 * Play an integral part of a small team that will continuously iterate on mission design through all phases of the program


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