Technical Staff, Guidance Navigation and Controls (GNC)

Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. Our air-launched, Talon testbeds are reusable, cost-effective platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment. We deliver flight data critical to validating system performance and achieving rapid technology deployment. Together with our customers, we drive innovations that are imperative to advancing national security.

Stratolaunch is seeking a subject matter expert in Guidance Navigation and Controls (GNC) to join the Technical Staff in Engineering. Members of the Technical Staff at Stratolaunch are the company’s foremost functional area experts, providing company-level technical leadership as they solve today’s execution problems and develop innovative solutions for the future. The successful candidate will have demonstrated leadership capability and a track record applying deep technical expertise in architecture derivation, algorithm development, and hardware implementation to solve practical engineering problems.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide company-level technical discipline leadership in GNC spanning theory to hardware

Enable world class engineering through the creation of technical standards, best practices, and common tool chains in domain(s) of expertise​

Support program execution by leading teams through and/or participating in high-impact problem solutions (e.g. Failure Review Boards, RCCA, Tiger Teams)

Develop and maintain engineering capability roadmaps and lead the realization of those capabilities

Propose and lead Internal Research and Development projects to generate intellectual property and enable future business success

Support white papers, proposals, and other front end of the business efforts

Engage in in mentoring and developing more junior colleagues

Support recruiting and hiring activities

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Qualifications:

In-depth expertise and experience in deriving and implementing GNC architectures

Demonstrated ability as a technical leader

Demonstrated ability applying technical expertise to solve high-impact problems

Excellent verbal and written communication skills: Capable of conveying complex technical information to diverse audiences

Familiarity with relevant industry and military standards and regulatory specifications

Experience proposing and leading IRAD projects

Ability to interact with customers and/or external stakeholders

Demonstrated experience applying analytical and critical thinking skills to solve multi-disciplinary, open-ended engineering problems

Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment to achieve business goals

US Citizen with the ability to obtain a DOW security clearance

Experience with embedded systems and RTOS / FPGA implementation of algorithms

Ability to derive GNC requirements based on vehicle constraints and mission objectives

Ability to support system sizing and trade study activities based upon mission objectives

Familiarity with estimation & data fusion architecture theory and application

Familiarity with theory and hardware for air vehicle navigation (GPS, TERCOM, Magnetic)

Familiarity with autopilot architecture theory and application

Ability to objectively assess multidisciplinary data utilized in development of GNC algorithms

Experience utilizing flight test data to quantitatively reduce uncertainties and update models

Strong first principles in flight dynamics, propulsion, controls, and estimation techniques

Required Computer Skills:

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications:

Working knowledge of systems engineering principles and best practices, especially relating to requirements verification through test and MBSE

Experience owning and implementing technical roadmaps

Experience supporting hypersonic vehicle development programs culminating in flight testing

Experience developing GNC architectures for high supersonic or hypersonic systems

Ability to aid in HWIL development across both hardware and software domains

Experience working on high speed airbreathing system with hysteretic, multi-modal behavior

Experience developing high performance extensible interfaces both in hardware and software

Familiarity with less common navigation aiding signals and approaches (SoOP, SLAM, Celestial)

Experience utilizing adjoint methods to analytically derive requirements

Familiarity with control system margins (gain, phase, vector) and performance (time const, undershoot, overshoot) metrics and how to appropriately analyze and optimize

Familiarity with direct, indirect, and heuristic optimization methods and SOTA algorithms

Experience with requirements and approaches for safety critical software and algorithms

Familiarity with and ability to adapt to industry standard version control and programming languages and toolchains (Git, C++, MATLAB/Simulink, Python, etc.).

Active DOW security clearance

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Principle ($147,667-$262,294): Bachelor’s degree, Master’s or Doctoral degree (graduate degree preferred) in related discipline from an accredited institution and 15+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Senior Principal ($168,450-$299,210): Bachelor’s degree, Master’s or Doctoral degree (graduate degree preferred) in related discipline from an accredited institution and 20+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable

Position based in Mojave, CA. Consideration for hybrid (partial remote/on-site work) work arrangements for well-qualified candidates may be provided.

9/80 schedule

Base salary and leveling are established on a case-by-case basis. We consider several factors to ensure a competitive offer, including your location, educational background, and a comprehensive assessment of the skills and experience demonstrated during your interviews.

Benefits and our location(s) :

Healthcare ( medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs )

Paid Maternity and Parental Leave

50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500

Tuition reimbursement

This position may involve the operation of company vehicles as part of assigned duties.

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best attractions and landmarks.

Not much for the outdoors and prefer the city life? You’re within a half day’s drive or less of Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco where you can find a variety of live entertainment, museums, tours, and historical sight-seeing. Theme parks are in abundance, with Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm ready to meet the needs of rollercoaster thrill seekers.

Food and drink fanatics are in a haven of delectable choices. Wine aficionados will also find easy access to some of the state’s best vino in Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and even more locally in Tehachapi and Agua Dulce. Beer fanatics will find some of the best West Coast IPAs at Bravery and Lucky Luke’s in Lancaster. Any food option you crave is covered, and we always recommend the authentic and fresh Mexican food that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States.

Stratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard