Sr. GNC Trajectory Engineer, Space (Reston)

Sr. Gnc (Guidance, Navigation & Control) Engineer (Trajectory And Guidance)

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

About the Team

Anduril's Space team is dedicated to expanding our AI-powered capabilities into the final frontier, enhancing Space Domain Awareness, Space Control, and Command and Control for U.S. military and allied partners. We're developing fully integrated hardware and software systems, including Lattice for Space Missions and modular payloads, to address growing threats in space and ensure our Guardians maintain a decisive advantage in this contested warfighting domain.

About the Job

As a Sr. GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Control) Engineer (Trajectory and Guidance) for our Space team, you will own the understanding and design of the guidance subsystem and offline simulation tools while maintaining a working knowledge of all satellite GNC subsystems. The successful candidate will synthesize and / or implement trajectory guidance algorithms, build simulations to solve key mission needs, use the simulations to help craft mission solutions, migrate the algorithms into flight code, and verify proper performance in the flight baseline. The GNC engineering team will work closely with related teams, including Systems, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software. The Sr. GNC Engineer will lead algorithm design, truth and physics modeling, mission design, constellation design, simulation and analysis for a wide variety of spacecraft and space missions across all regimes that could include Reentry and RPOD. The Sr. GNC Engineer will help lead successful implementation, validation and GNC operations of Anduril's fleet of spacecraft. This role is directly tied to ongoing, funded programs within Anduril's Space Business Line. The programs require building and fielding a resilient, software-defined spacecraft systems across numerous mission threads. We work with mission partners and customers to deploy reliable and robust capabilities on operationally-relevant fielding timelines to meet complex challenges across the DOD and IC.

What You'll Do

Be responsible for algorithm selection and design for space trajectories that inform mission and constellation design.

Field simulation solutions that show mission closure to key customer requirements.

Use your innovations to enhance Anduril's Mission Simulation and Lattice for Space capabilities.

Field your solutions to spacecraft GNC software and hardware subsystems for various spacecraft efforts in all orbital regimes and work closely with bus providers for successful implementation.

Develop modern, software-defined approaches to autonomous spacecraft operations with maneuvering capabilities to successfully accomplish mission objectives.

Develop appropriate test plans and procedures to validate the GNC system during ground checkout, on-orbit commissioning and operations.

Collaborate across multiple teams to plan, build, and test complex functionality.

Coordinate with end-users, other operators and customers to turn needs into features while balancing user experience with engineering constraints.

Support challenging schedules during ground testing, launch windows and on-orbit operations of the spacecraft systems.

Required Qualifications

Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in areas / fields such as Astrodynamics, Aerospace Engineering, Dynamics and Controls Engineering, Computer Science, or other engineering degree.

Experience building complex simulation capabilities.

Experience conducting spacecraft operations and satellite command and control with an emphasis on system reliability and uptime.

Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and detailed requirements.

Experience with orbital mechanics and resident space object tracking capabilities.

Experience developing 3-DOF simplified and 6-DOF high-fidelity dynamics simulation models used for GNC systems analysis and validation.

Familiarity with rendezvous proximity operations and docking, orbital mechanics with propulsive spacecraft, spacecraft attitude determination and controls.

Strong knowledge of spacecraft dynamics, orbital mechanics, and control theory.

Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material.

Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong Astrodynamics background applied into new or existing simulation systems

Experience with Matlab, Python, Go, C++ and / or Linux systems

Experience developing ground-up simulation frameworks for rapid mission prototyping, constellation and CONOP design

A desire to work on critical simulation and software designs for the space domain.

Experience testing and delivering algorithms for simulation and flight environments

Experience with genetic algorithms, machine learning, AI, and reinforcement learning algorithms to support GNC operations.

Exposure to US satellite operations policy and constraints for relevant mission threads in all orbits.

Compensation and Benefits

US Salary Range $168,000 - $252,000 USD The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and / or training, critical skills, and / or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including :

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits : For U.S. roles, we offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
• Basic Life / AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Anduril, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
• 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support : Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.
• Mental Health Resources : We provide free mental health resources 24 / 7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well.
• A professional development stipend is available to all Andurilians.
• Daily Meals and Provisions : For many of our offices this means breakfast, lunch and fully stocked micro-kitchens.
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). (US roles only)

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Anduril is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Anduril team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.