Impulse Space
Principal Guidance, Navigation, & Controls Engineer (Interceptors)
Be an Early Applicant
Leads guidance, navigation, and control engineering for highly maneuverable spacecraft across development and operations. Architects GNC flight, test, and analysis systems; develops control algorithms and simulation software; directs hardware and software design reviews; coordinates vehicle-level trade studies; interfaces with partners and customers; resolves technical issues; and mentors engineers. The role requires extensive spacecraft control design experience, MATLAB and C++ proficiency, spacecraft operations knowledge, and an active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
As a Principal GNC Engineer of Responsive Spacecraft at Impulse Space, you will lead the team responsible for GNC of the most agile delta-V machines under development. You will own all aspects of and provide outstanding technical contribution to vehicle guidance and control in all phases of development and operation with a fast-paced team. Due to the nature of the programs, a TS/SCI clearance is required.
Responsibilities
- Architect GNC flight, test, and analysis systems for high-maneuverability space vehicles produced at scale.
- Guide development of robust control algorithms for satellites in LEO, GEO, and cislunar.
- Direct vehicle-level hardware and software design reviews and trade studies, coordinating GNC needs with other vehicle domains.
- Develop GNC flight and simulation software to implement new algorithms, hardware modeling, and orbital regime changes.
- Interface with internal and external partners for vehicle design to meet mission needs
- Mentor junior engineers and define the best practices for vehicle GNC through the engineering lifecycle.
- Resolve technical issues with innovative, resourceful solutions.
- Communicate design needs, intent, and capability to the broader engineering team and customers.
Minimum Qualifications
- Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, math or related.
- 12+ years of experience in spacecraft control design and analysis.
- Proficiency in Matlab and C++.
- Demonstrated experience performing control analysis in time and frequency domains.
- Experience in spacecraft operations.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience with vehicle-GNC design processes, from concept, through design reviews and implementation.
- Experience with agile GEO vehicles.
- Experience with high-thrust spacecraft.
- Experience in a startup or agile development environment.
Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
About
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
Impulse Space El Segundo, California, USA Office
El Segundo, CA, United States, 90245
Similar Jobs
Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Sell Cloudflare's platform to high-growth, venture-backed companies in Southern California. Own territory planning, pipeline generation, new logo acquisition, expansion, and renewals. Drive technical and executive conversations, forecast and negotiate deals, build long-term customer relationships, and collaborate cross-functionally to surface customer feedback and ensure adoption and retention. Target C-suite and technical stakeholders across Security, Network, Development, and Infrastructure teams.
Top Skills:
Cloudflare OneConnectivity CloudGoogle SuiteMS OfficeSFDCTableau
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • HR Tech • Information Technology • Productivity • Software • Automation
Drive net-new business growth within a strategic enterprise technology account. Identify expansion opportunities, build business cases and solution roadmaps, develop relationships from IT teams through C-suite executives, coordinate cross-functional sales and partner teams, and close new solution areas while achieving license, renewal, professional services, and annual sales targets.
Top Skills:
Artificial IntelligenceCustomer Service ManagementHr Service DeliveryIt Operations ManagementIt Service ManagementSecurity OperationsServicenow
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Supports manufacturing and continuous improvement of microwave and RF subsystems. Resolves production issues affecting yield and throughput, analyzes supplier and field-return failures, leads root-cause investigations and product improvement projects, supports new product introduction teams, communicates with production and customers, and maintains technical documentation.
Top Skills:
Lean Six SigmaMicrowave CircuitsRfStatistical Process Control (Spc)
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
