Principal GNC Engineer

Astrolab

Principal GNC Engineer managing GNC systems for autonomous planetary rovers. Leading engineering teams to ensure safe operations on lunar environments with robust technical strategies.

Posted 7/15/2026full-timeHawthorne • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $180,000 - $235,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems, with a strong focus on developing and validating autonomous systems for extreme environments. Proven leadership in managing engineering teams and executing complex technical programs while ensuring compliance with safety and reliability standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Guidance, Navigation, And Control (GNC) Systems DevelopmentC++ Software DevelopmentTeam Leadership And MentoringVerification And Validation TestingAutonomous Vehicle Systems Engineering

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

GNC Software DevelopmentPerception Systems EngineeringSensor IntegrationPath PlanningEmbedded Systems DevelopmentStatistical Analysis MethodsImage ProcessingMulti-Sensor OdometryTerrain MappingHazard Detection

Soft Skills

Strong Written CommunicationStrong Verbal Communication

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree In STEMMaster's Degree Or Ph.D. In Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering

Industry Keywords

Autonomous VehiclesRobotic PlatformsNASA Mission Assurance StandardsAerospace ApplicationsFlight Hardware

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the GNC systems that enable Astrolab’s rovers to operate safely and effectively in extreme environments.
Lead technical strategy and execution across guidance, navigation, control, and perception while managing and mentoring a high-performing engineering team.
Set system vision, make critical design decisions, drive execution, and ensure autonomy systems perform reliably on flight-ready vehicles operating on the lunar surface.
Lead the design, verification, validation, testing, and characterization of GNC and perception systems for manual, semi-autonomous, and autonomous rover operations in a fast-moving, schedule-constrained development environment.
Define GNC and perception technical direction and system architecture with inputs from stakeholders across GNC, avionics, and software.
Manage a team of GNC and perception engineers.
Work with avionics responsible engineers to select, test, characterize, and calibrate GNC and perception sensors.
Work closely with the simulation and software teams to prototype and analyze GNC algorithms in the vehicle simulation and software test environment.
Define and oversee testing and validation of the integrated GNC solution on a variety of simulation and test platforms in lab and analog environments.
Ensure the GNC and perception system design and implementation meet all applicable safety, reliability, and fault tolerance requirements.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in a STEM related field
Experience developing guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), perception, or autonomy systems for autonomous vehicles or robotic platforms
Experience developing GNC software using C++
Experience leading engineering teams and delivering complex technical programs
Experience supporting the full product development lifecycle, including system architecture, implementation, integration, testing, and operations
Experience developing perception, navigation, or autonomy software, including sensor integration, localization, navigation, or path planning
Experience designing and executing verification and validation testing for autonomy or navigation systems
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field (preferred)
10+ years of experience developing guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), perception, and autonomy systems (preferred)
Experience developing GNC, perception, or autonomy systems for space vehicles, extraterrestrial rovers, or other aerospace applications (preferred)
Experience developing embedded autonomy, perception, or navigation software for compute- or power-constrained systems (preferred)
Experience with image processing, multi-sensor odometry, terrain-relative navigation, pose estimation, hazard detection, terrain mapping, or route planning (preferred)
Experience designing and executing simulation, laboratory, field, or analog test campaigns, including statistical analysis methods such as Monte Carlo (preferred)
Experience implementing and testing GNC or perception software on flight hardware or embedded platforms (preferred)
Experience supporting programs that follow NASA or other aerospace mission assurance standards (preferred)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
Equity ownership in the company
Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
401(k) plan with company match
Flexible PTO and parental leave
Home office set up reimbursement
Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks