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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Engineer - **Company:** Varda Space Industries - **Location:** El Segundo, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $219,161.0 - $243,513.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Automation of Tests, C++ (Programming Language), Configuration Management, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Python (Programming Language), MATLAB, Monte Carlo Methods, Software Engineering, Test Data, Orbital Mechanics, Modeling and Simulation - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/principal-guidance-navigation-and-controls-engineer-varda-space-industries-8000057 ## About the Role * B.S. degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, physics, or related field * 10+ proven years of experience, or PhD with 7+ years of relevant experience * Demonstrated knowledge in designing, modeling, testing, and flying aerospace guidance, navigation, and control systems * Highly adept software and model development skills, particularly in C++/Python * Understanding of orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development * Experience anchoring/fitting first principles models to test data or high-fidelity external simulations * Proven system engineering and configuration management skills * Excellent written and verbal communication skills Preferred Skills and Experience * Master's degree in engineering or physics * Experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control system design * Experience with GMAT, POST2, or similar tools * Experience with Matlab/Simulink * Understanding of multi-body dynamics, flexible body dynamics, gas dynamics, fluids, and thermodynamics * Experience developing and verifying physical models for the purpose of control design, component sizing, and system performance evaluation * Experience supporting safety critical flight tests or spacecraft * Ability to continuously manage risk and provide solutions with lean and state of the art software development techniques ## Description As a Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Engineer, you will own the full life cycle of GNC development at Varda, from design through to unit, hardware-in-the-loop, on-vehicle functionality, and flight testing. You will perform system analyses, including simulations and Monte Carlo, to satisfy specifications and requirements and to drive system-level architectural and business decisions. You will contribute to a sophisticated multi-degree of freedom in-house aerospace simulation and test framework and develop and maintain design descriptions and supporting documentation. You'll see end to end execution of the GNC subsystem from initial analysis/design through vehicle integration, mission planning and flight through support of on-orbit and reentry mission operations., * ADCS hardware performance specification including sizing of reaction wheels, torque rods, IMU/GPS, and star trackers * Design and implementation of autonomous satellite attitude control, collision avoidance, orbital rendezvous, burn planning and atmospheric re-entry algorithms * Perform trajectory design, optimization, and dispersion analysis for the reentry of a space capsule * Develop 6 degree of freedom vehicle simulation using C++ and Python. * Running Monte Carlo analysis to characterize performance of new vehicle and mission capabilities * Integration and testing of GNC sensors, actuators, and software in hardware-in-the-loop environment * Design and implementation of ground tooling necessary to facilitate fully automated maneuver responsibility and maneuver scheduling decisions * Monitoring on-orbit system performance; troubleshooting where necessary * Coordination with other spacecraft operators, 3rd party agencies, and the US government, * Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly * Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations * Complimentary EV charging ITAR Requirements Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. 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