Principal Navigation Engineer

Firefly Aerospace

Principal Navigation Engineer at Firefly Aerospace providing navigation expertise for spacecraft missions. Overseeing the development of innovative navigation strategies and mentoring engineering teams.

Posted 7/3/2026full-timeAustin • Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

LinuxPython

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a technical authority on the navigation of orbital spacecraft and landers, providing expertise across programs and domains
Develop and validate novel navigation methodologies, tools, and best practices for complex or unprecedented mission requirements
Lead resolution of the most challenging navigation problems across the organization
Provide authoritative technical review and oversight of launch vehicle navigation designs, changes, and risks
Establish technical standards for mission design, software development, testing, and requirement verification
Drive navigation strategy and roadmap development, identifying capability gaps, investment priorities, and opportunities for adopting emerging technology
Initiate and execute continuous improvement initiatives for navigation processes, tools, and operational efficiency
Represent navigation expertise in executive-level technical reviews, mission milestone reviews, customer meetings, and proposal efforts
Participate in critical technical work including algorithm development, test campaign execution, and mission operations support
Mentor and develop engineers at all levels, cultivating the next generation of technical leaders

Requirements

What you’ll need

PhD in aerospace engineering, computer science, robotics or a related field, or Masters degree with substantial technical accomplishments demonstrating analytical rigor equivalent to doctoral research
8+ years of experience in space-based robotic navigation with demonstrated expertise and technical leadership across multiple programs
Demonstrated experience supporting flight missions
Mastery of estimation, Kalman filtering, smoothing-based estimation, multi-modal fusion, and visual-inertial estimation with deep understanding of how to safely design and implement mission-critical systems
Experience developing strategic vision, technical roadmaps, and capability development initiatives for robotics or navigation teams
Proficiency in the development of flight software and physics simulations for spaceflight applications
Software engineering expertise with proficiency in development practices including version control, code review, testing, documentation, and CI/CD
Proficiency with Python, C++, Linux, and specialized tools and libraries relevant to domain
Comprehensive knowledge of the unique challenges of space perception and how to build systems that degrade gracefully in the presence of faults
Demonstrated ability to elevate the technical capabilities of engineers through mentorship, developing high performers who strengthen the organization around them
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with an ability to convey complex technical concepts to executives, customers, and non-technical stakeholders.

Benefits

Comp & perks

generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
parental leave
educational reimbursement
short term disability
flexible PTO options

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Navigation MethodologiesAlgorithm DevelopmentEstimation TechniquesSoftware Development PracticesPhysics SimulationsTechnical Roadmap DevelopmentMission Operations SupportContinuous Improvement InitiativesTechnical Review And OversightRisk Assessment

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsMentorship And LeadershipPresentation SkillsAnalytical RigorCollaboration