GNC Engineer (Contract)

This position offers FULLY REMOTE opportunities for candidates across the United States. Preferred work locations: Arlington VA, Denver CO, Houston, TX or Merritt Island, FL.

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc offers advanced solutions to meet the most complex U.S. defense, security, space, and intelligence requirements. Celebrating over 50 years in the US, we remain a trusted government partner, leveraging world-class satellite, laser communication, rotor and fixed wing solutions to help our national security, defense and space focused customers meet their missions.

Position Summary:

Airbus U.S. is seeking a motivated Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer to support the development, analysis, and verification of satellite GNC systems. This role contributes to the spacecraft development lifecycle-from requirements refinement through integration and testing-while working closely with senior engineers and cross functional teams. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical capability, initiative, and a desire to grow technical depth within space systems engineering.

Position Responsibilities:

The GNC Engineer's primary responsibility will be contributing to the development of Airbus 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, and 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%

• Develop highfidelity simulation architectures to support spacecraft GNC performance analysis, algorithm validation, and missionlevel trade studies.
• Build, maintain, and update simulation models reflecting spacecraft design adjustments, mission requirements, and evolving productline roadmaps.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, GNC algorithms, and flight software components into endtoend simulation frameworks for verification and design optimization.
• Support the definition and maturation of a spacecraft customization process by developing simulation tools that evaluate performance impacts of missionspecific modifications.
• Conduct MonteCarlo analyses, linear covariance assessments, and closedloop performance evaluations to ensure compliance with systemlevel requirements.
• Automate simulation workflows to improve design iteration speed, requirement flowdown, and assessment of designforcost/manufacturability considerations.
• Collaborate with crossfunctional teams to ensure simulation products accurately represent spacecraft architecture, subsystem interfaces, and operational constraints.
• Document simulation artifacts, assumptions, and model validation results to support design reviews and certification activities.

Additional Responsibilities - 10%

• Contribute to GNC engineering activities required for developing and updating Airbus spacecraft product lines.
• Assist in evaluating opportunities for cost savings and design reuse across programs.
• Support troubleshooting, anomaly resolution, and ongoing improvements within active projects.

Qualified Experience / Skills / Training:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.
• Preferred: Master's in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years with a Bachelor's degree, or 1 year with a Master's degree

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:

• Experience with Matlab/Simulink; familiarity with STK.
• Ability to model, simulate, and analyze spacecraft dynamics, sensors, actuators, or control algorithms.
• Exposure to software development practices, verification, or validation activities.
• Experience with at least one programming or scripting language (e.g., C/C++, Python, TCL).
• Strong analytical skills and willingness to collaborate in a team environment.

Travel Required:

• Periodic travel (less than 20%) to Airbus U.S. facilities or partner companies
• Occasional International travel to collaborate with European Airbus counterparts

Eligibility:

• US Citizenship is required

Clearance:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Government security clearance
• Active DoD security clearance at Secret or above highly desirable

Physical Requirements:

• Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents.
• Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds including safety warnings or alarms.
• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment.
• Carrying: able to carry documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
• Lifting: able to lift documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves.
• Standing: able to stand for long periods of time.
• Walking: able to walk through office and outside areas including uneven surfaces.

Equal Opportunity:

Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status.

As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

By submitting your resume or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to HR@airbusus.com.

www.airbusus.com