Staff GNC Software Engineer, Ursa Major
$150-185k
+ Equity
More information about location
Office located in Longmont, CO
Propulsion systems manufacturer
Open for applications
Propulsion systems manufacturer
201-500 employees
Open for applications
$150-185k
+ Equity
More information about location
Office located in Longmont, CO
201-500 employees
Company mission
To radically transform the aerospace industry.
Role
Who you are
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- Professional experience developing GNC algorithms or flight software for aerospace or defense systems
- Strong understanding of classical control, estimation, and vehicle dynamics
- Experience implementing algorithms in C/C++ or similar embedded languages
- Experience with modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent
- Familiarity with real-time or embedded software development environments
- Ability to work effectively across disciplines and communicate technical concepts clearly
- Ability to work effectively in teams or individually
- We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed here to apply for this role
Desirable
- Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline
- Experience with navigation sensors (IMUs, GPS, star trackers, etc.) and state estimation techniques (e.g., Kalman filtering)
- Exposure to hardware-in-the-loop testing, flight testing, or operational flight systems
- Familiarity with safety-critical or regulated development environments (e.g., DO-178 or equivalent processes)
- Experience with Python or similar scripting languages for analysis and tooling
- Prior experience supporting aerospace or defense programs through integration and test phases
What the job involves
- As a GNC Software Engineer you will develop, implement, and validate guidance, navigation, and control algorithms in software for flight systems in aerospace and defense applications
- This role translates GNC concepts into robust, flight-ready software, working across simulation, embedded implementation, and hardware-in-the-loop environments
- You will own well-defined subsystems or features, and collaborate closely with systems, avionics, propulsion, and test teams to ensure GNC software meets performance, safety, and mission requirements
- Design, implement, and maintain flight GNC software for aerospace applications
- Translate GNC requirements and models into efficient, reliable embedded software
- Develop and execute simulations to evaluate guidance, navigation, and control performance
- Support system integration, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and flight test activities
- Analyze test and flight data to assess performance and drive improvements
- Contribute to requirements definition, verification, and traceability for GNC functions
- Identify and mitigate technical risks through analysis, testing, and peer review
- Collaborate cross-functionally with systems, avionics, software, and test engineers
- Document designs, analyses, and test results for internal and external stakeholders
Our take
Ursa Major designs rocket engines and propulsion solutions. Founded in 2015 by a veteran of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the company set out to democratize aerospace by increasing access to top-quality propulsion.
The launch sector is a crowded one but whilst most industry players are outsourcing engines, Ursa Major builds them in-house. The team’s technical experience has scored impressive customers, ranging from “New Space” startups, to enterprise-level aerospace pioneers, to the U.S. government. In fact, Ursa Major’s “Hadley” rocket engine is to be used by the U.S. Air Force to boost national security.
Moving forwards, Ursa Major will have to prove that it can produce, affordably and reliably, in large quantities. Recent funding will facilitate its development of new engines at a faster rate. The capital will enable operations to scale up and ultimately aid its two-engines-per-week target.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Company benefits
- Unlimited PTO - Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Bereavement.
- Paid parental and Adoptive Leave.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
- Tax Advantage Accounts (HSA/FSA).
- Employer Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability, Basic Life, AD&D.
- Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life, Emergency Medical Transport, and Pet Insurance.
- EAP Program.
- Retirement Savings Plan - Traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k).
- Company stock options.
Company HQ
Berthoud, CO
Leadership
Joe Laurienti
(CEO)Previously worked as a Propulsion Engineer for SpaceX and Blue Origin before founding Ursa Major.
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