Lead development of spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control systems through full lifecycle: requirements, design, simulation, algorithms, flight software, and verification. Develop simulation tools, drive reuse of heritage Airbus products, support subsystem requirements and integration, and optimize designs for cost, manufacturability, and testing. Collaborate cross-functionally across spacecraft, payload, and launch integration activities.
Do you want to help a small company make a BIG difference in space? Do you take ownership of your job and responsibility for your actions? Then come work for Red Canyon and help us continue our mission of helping humankind reach the stars!
Red Canyon Software is looking for an experienced Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer (Contract) to develop solutions for satellite Guidance, Navigation, and Control system. We're looking for candidates who can bring exceptional engineering skills and strong experience in aerospace programs to the team.
Position Responsibilities:
The Senior GNC Engineer's primary responsibility will be contributing to the development of customer U.S.'s satellite GNC systems. This engineer will be involved in the full lifecycle of development, from requirements definition through operations. Being at the cutting edge of space technology, we need someone who is eager to learn, grow, and take on new and potentially unfamiliar challenges. There is no shortage of fascinating problems to solve.
Guidance, Navigation, Control - 50%
- Design and implement GNC designs for new spacecraft designs to accommodate a variety of new mission payloads onto Airbus spacecraft platforms.
- Analyze, design, and/or develop GNC systems to include:
- Sensors and actuators
- Algorithms and flight software
- GNC electronics
- Support the development of subsystem level requirements and requirement flow-down to the various components and parts as necessary - in all phases of the development lifecycle with particular emphasis on Design for Cost/Design for Manufacturability/Design for Test approaches.
- Ensure the maximum reuse of the existing Airbus heritage products and if necessary, identify need for modification.
- Ability to drive multiple design activities (programs or mission) – could lead to spacecraft, payload, satellite bus, and/or launch integration activities.
- Demonstrated ability to participate in cross-functional planning, coordination, and task execution situations involving the full spectrum of engineering and integration activities
Simulation Development - 40%
- Support Airbus spacecraft development product roadmap: includes design adjustments, schedule, and cost targets aligned for future business captures.
- Support the definition of spacecraft customization process for customer mission needs
Additional Responsibilities - 10%
- Perform all the necessary GNC system engineering activities to build, to maintain and to evolve the Airbus spacecraft products.
- Promote and optimize cost savings by reuse of the heritage platform designs and manufacturing infrastructures in the pursuit of various constellation prospects.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.
- Preferred: Masters in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas
Experience:
- 8+ years' (w/ bachelor's degree) / 6+ years' (w/ Master's degree) experience in guidance, navigation and control system analysis, design and verification on spacecraft.
- 5+ years' experience in guidance, navigation and control system analysis, design and verification on spacecraft.
Skills:
- Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and STK.
- Proficiency modeling, simulating, and analyzing the performance of spacecraft GNC sensors, actuators, dynamics and algorithms.
- Familiarity and experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (SysML/UML) and processes that include requirements, architectures, interfaces and trade studies.
- Familiarity with software development, verification, and validation.
- Experience with object-oriented programming (C, C++) and scripting languages (TCL, Python).
- US Citizenship is required
Red Canyon Engineering and Software: “Exploring Other Planets, Improving our Own”
Red Canyon contracts with NASA, NOAA, NREL, JPL, and DOD, in addition to customers such as Lockheed Martin Space, Raytheon, Sierra Space, a.i. solutions, Walt Disney Imagineering, SAIC, Sidus Space, Ball Aerospace, SpaceX, Honeywell, KBRwyle, Peraton, LASP, Maxar, Blue Origin, and Moog. We specialize in building spacecraft, developing renewable energy technologies to help make our planet a better world and cutting edge research and development. Our disciplines include embedded flight software, software testing, GN&C, systems engineering, mechanical design, structural analysis, real time flight and ground software, simulation software, user interface software, and mission management software. We help our contractors with the full life cycle of product development from requirements to test and delivery.
Some of the programs we have previously or currently worked on include: Human Lander System, Artemis I-II, WorldView Legion V, Perseverance Rover, InSight, GeoXO, Tranche-1, LizzieSat, Dream Chaser, Psyche, Mars 98, Odyssey 01, Stardust, Genesis and Deep Impact, Mars Phoenix, Joint Polar Satellite System, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Orion, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, GOES-R, OSIRIS-REx, Maven, JUNO, Grail, and the MarsFlight and LunarSIM Simulation.
Red Canyon’s home office is located in scenic Denver, Colorado, and our regional office, Launch Now, is in historic downtown Titusville, Florida. We are a small company that maintains a flat organization to decrease our overhead and costs to our customers. Our number one focus is to solve some of the most complicated engineering problems humankind is facing.
Does it sound like you want to join our mission?
Similar Jobs
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Support selection, characterization, calibration, and integration of multi-modal navigation and localization sensors (IMUs, GNSS, cameras). Develop and run test plans, calibration scripts, and data-processing tools. Work cross-functionally with EE/ME/SW on electrical interfaces, mounting, thermal/vibration, and software drivers. Debug hardware–firmware–software issues, document trade studies and integration requirements, and support production and occasional travel.
Top Skills:
AltiumCameraCanData Acquisition (Daq)Embedded SystemsGnssI2CImuMatlabNxPythonReal-Time SoftwareSpiTeamcenterUart
Cloud • Computer Vision • Information Technology • Sales • Security • Cybersecurity
Conduct advanced OSINT and operational tradecraft to collect, track, and report on hacktivist and state-sponsored threat actor activity across South Asia, Latin America, and North Africa. Produce contextual internal reports, collaborate on analytical products, and employ secure methods to support threat intelligence operations.
Top Skills:
Ai TechnologiesDeep/Dark Web ToolsHidden ServicesOsintSocial Media Platforms
Fintech • Software
Manage the ActiveDisclosure sales pipeline from prospecting and qualification through needs assessment, solution positioning, quoting, negotiation, and close. Build relationships with internal sales teams and client stakeholders, including C-suite buyers. Track opportunities and forecasts in Salesforce.com, coordinate technical implementation planning, and hand new clients to post-sale services. Sell enterprise software and services to finance and compliance teams, meeting or exceeding substantial annual quotas.
Top Skills:
MS OfficeSalesforce
What you need to know about the Boston Tech Scene
Boston is a powerhouse for technology innovation thanks to world-class research universities like MIT and Harvard and a robust pipeline of venture capital investment. Host to the first telephone call and one of the first general-purpose computers ever put into use, Boston is now a hub for biotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence — though it’s also home to several B2B software giants. So it’s no surprise that the city consistently ranks among the greatest startup ecosystems in the world.
Key Facts About Boston Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 269,000; 9.4% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toast, Klaviyo, HubSpot, DraftKings
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, software, aerospace
- Funding Landscape: $15.7 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Summit Partners, Volition Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, MassVentures, Highland Capital Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: MIT, Harvard University, Boston College, Tufts University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, National Bureau of Economic Research, Broad Institute, Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories
