Principal GNC Engineer

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

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Job Summary

The Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer for Voyager Lunar Systems is the senior technical authority, responsible for modernizing existing GNC algorithms and analysis to industry standards, while also driving innovation that moves our guidance, navigation, and control approaches toward state‑of‑the‑art performance.

The position reports to the Software & Controls Manager and is part of the Software & Controls Department based in Pittsburgh, PA. This role is onsite based in Pittsburgh, PA.

In this role, the essential functions are:

Lead efforts to raise existing GNC analysis, modeling, and algorithm fidelity to industry best practices and mission‑critical standards.

Advance guidance, navigation, and control algorithms by introducing state‑of‑the‑art methods in state estimation, sensor fusion, trajectory generation, optical navigation, and terrain‑based navigation.

Modernize and expand high‑fidelity simulation environments for algorithm verification, Monte Carlo testing, mission analysis, and performance evaluation.

Develop and validate improved navigation and control strategies for descent, landing, attitude control, and autonomous operations.

Conduct comprehensive trade studies evaluating sensors, estimation approaches, trajectory strategies, and control architectures, providing clear recommendations backed by rigorous analysis.

Provide senior technical leadership across Lunar Systems, shaping mission concepts, technology roadmaps, and long‑term GNC capability development.

Collaborate with systems engineering, avionics, software, mission analysis, and mechanical teams to ensure GNC solutions meet mission requirements and integrate seamlessly across the spacecraft.

Produce clear, high‑quality technical documentation, analysis reports, proposals, and review materials for both internal and external stakeholders.

Mentor and guide GNC engineers, raising team-wide standards for analysis quality, algorithm development, modeling practices, and simulation rigor.

Identify GNC‑related mission risks and propose mitigation strategies, algorithm improvements, or analysis campaigns to address them proactively.

If your experience aligns with our basic qualifications and you are inspired by our mission, we’d like to connect. If you don’t see the right role right now, Join Our Talent Community and stay connected as we continue to build what’s next.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, or related field plus 15+ years of relevant experience; advanced degrees may substitute for experience.

Extensive experience developing, analyzing, and validating GNC algorithms for spacecraft, planetary landers, launch vehicles, or autonomous systems.

Deep knowledge of non-linear dynamics, state estimation, sensor fusion, modern filtering techniques (EKF, UKF, etc.), guidance algorithms, and control theory.

Proven success modernizing and improving existing GNC algorithms, modeling methods, and analysis frameworks to industry standards.

Demonstrated ability to introduce advanced or state of the art approaches in navigation, estimation, control, or simulation environments.

Strong understanding of lunar and cislunar mission environments and their implications for GNC design and performance.

Experience producing impactful technical content for proposals, customer presentations, and major reviews.

Experience developing, decomposing, and validating mission-level and system-level GNC requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with precision landing methods including terrain-relative navigation, lidar‑based sensing, optical navigation, or autonomous hazard evaluation.

Experience transitioning improved or advanced algorithms into embedded or flight software systems.

Knowledge of rover autonomy, surface mobility GNC, or planetary navigation techniques.

Expertise with analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, Simulink, Basilisk, or similar frameworks.

Familiarity with NASA and industry standards for GNC verification and validation.

Experience using agile organizational tools such as Confluence and Jira.

Eligibility to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance.

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well-being.

Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees

Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and more! No long-term contracts and FREE on-demand workout videos before you enroll

401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%, supporting long-term financial security

Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well-being

Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources

The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission-driven environment

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120–130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730–774), applicants for this position must be a U.S. Person: a US Citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). Applicants must be eligible to obtain any required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.