Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Software Engineer - Space Systems

Location:

Irvine, CA (Onsite)

Industry:

Space Systems · Advanced Imaging · Autonomous Platforms · Defense Technology

Type:

Full-Time

Compensation:

Base salary up to $200k

Work Authorization:

Must be US citizen or US permanent resident

About the Opportunity

A venture-backed aerospace technology company in Irvine is developing next-generation vision-enabled navigation systems for space and high-reliability autonomous platforms. The team is building intelligent camera-based systems used for spacecraft navigation, satellite rendezvous, and autonomous docking. These systems operate in mission-critical environments where real-time perception and control directly impact vehicle performance and mission success.

We are seeking a Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Software Engineer with strong algorithm development experience for space vehicles. This role sits at the intersection of vision-based navigation, embedded systems, and advanced state estimation.

This is a hands-on engineering position for someone who enjoys building real systems that operate in the physical world, not just simulations.

What You’ll Do

• Design and implement Guidance, Navigation & Control algorithms for space-based platforms
• Design and implement star tracker–aided attitude determination algorithms within an ADCS architecture for LEO, MEO, and GEO spacecraft
• Develop software supporting satellite orientation, rendezvous, and docking applications
• Fuse IMU and computer vision data for real-time navigation solutions
• Design and implement state estimation systems (e.g., Kalman filters, particle filters)
• Deploy algorithms to embedded flight hardware
• Collaborate with perception and imaging teams to integrate vision-based navigation pipelines
• Contribute across the full lifecycle: concept, prototyping, testing, and flight readiness

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 1–10 years of experience developing GNC algorithms for space vehicles or high-reliability autonomous systems
• Strong C/C++ programming skills
• Strong embedded software development experience
• Experience interpreting IMU data and computer vision outputs
• Hands-on experience with state estimation techniques (Kalman filters, Extended/Unscented Kalman filters, particle filters)

Preferred Experience

• Experience developing software across desktop, mobile, and embedded platforms
• Familiarity with spacecraft flight software environments
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Background in vision-based navigation or optical navigation systems
• Experience working in early-stage or fast-paced technical environments

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Comfortable working in small, high-performance technical teams
• Excited about building flight-ready systems in a dynamic, high-growth startup environment
• Strong intuition for both controls theory and real-world implementation constraints
• Motivated by mission-driven aerospace and national security applications

About Face-2-Face Talent Solutions:

We are a global engineering recruitment agency focused on filling critical roles for Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, and Imaging organizations. With over 2,000 successful placements since 2015, our clients trust us for their most challenging talent acquisition assignments.