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Umbra · 5 hours ago

Senior GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

$170K/yr - $220K/yr

5+ years exp

Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems that empower customers with access to critical information from space. The Senior GNC Engineer will develop and deliver next-generation spacecraft capabilities, focusing on GNC theory and software implementation, while ensuring thorough system integration and producing comprehensive documentation.

AerospaceGeospatialImage RecognitionInformation TechnologySatellite CommunicationSoftware

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Design and implement onboard orbit & attitude determination, sensor processing, guidance, and control algorithms for all orbital regimes

Develop 6DOF simulations for spacecraft behavior, including sensors, actuators, and physics

Develop autonomous burn planning, optimization, and execution capabilities for spacecraft

Transition experimental GNC capabilities into production-ready systems

Create automated testing and validation frameworks for spacecraft GNC systems in integrated test environments

Provide technical support and troubleshooting for operational missions

Create MATLAB/Simulink models and simulations for algorithm development and testing

Develop flight software implementations for interfaces of GNC algorithms in Rust

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualification

GNC algorithm developmentFlight software implementationOrbital mechanicsMATLAB/SimulinkC/C++RustCI/CD pipelinesAnalytical skillsCommunication skillsProblem-solving skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field

5-7+ years of relevant experience with GNC algorithm development, flight software implementation, or modeling and simulation

Demonstrated experience with orbital mechanics and spacecraft dynamics

Experience with setting up, managing, and configuring software-in-the-loop (SITL), hardware-in-the-loop (HITL), and hybrid integrated test environments that involve complex, independent, asynchronous systems with CI/CD pipelines

3+ years of experience using MATLAB/Simulink

Demonstrated experience developing or interfacing with embedded software applications in C/C++ or Rust

Excellent communication skills for technical documentation and presentations

Ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent projects

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Preferred

Advanced degree in relevant engineering or computer science field

12-15+ years of relevant experience in spacecraft GNC

Proficiency with Python

Strong familiarity with version control systems (Git), collaborative development, and CI/CD pipelines

Experience with any of the following: autonomous spacecraft operations, onboard decision-making, distributed spacecraft systems or constellation operations, LEO or GEO orbit operations, or ground system interfaces and telemetry processing

Experience working in fast-paced agile development environments

Experience with cross-functional team collaboration (systems, software, ops)