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Terran Orbital

Sr. GNC Engineer

Terran Orbital, Irvine, California, United States, 92713

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Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you’re not just part of the system – you’re a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation’s defense and commercial missions. We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you’ll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let’s redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!

Summary Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced

Sr. GNC Engineer

to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the

GNC Engineering Manager , the

Sr. GNC Engineer

will be responsible for a wide range of analysis, software, hardware, testing, integration, and documentation in a fast‑paced environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Design, analysis, implementation, and testing of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) algorithms for spacecraft

Develop and maintain high‑fidelity 6‑DOF simulations with MATLAB/Simulink

Support vehicle control system architecture sizing and definition

Perform software‑in‑the‑loop and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing

Provide technical inputs and support for proposal efforts

Support mission operations and anomaly resolution

Provide technical mentorship and peer review for coworkers

Perform all other duties assigned

Qualifications and Skills

Master’s Degree in an engineering field with a concentration in dynamics and control

5 or more years of related work experience

Demonstrated GNC engineering and software development using MATLAB and Simulink

Strong fundamental understanding of orbital dynamics and classical mechanics

Highly motivated, self‑starting, and able to perform duties autonomously without supervision

Passion for the new space industry

U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance

Additional Differentiators

Ph.D. in Dynamics and controls is highly desired

Experience with the design of spacecraft flexible body control, Kalman Filtering, jitter analysis, rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD), fault detection, isolation, recovery

Flight dynamics, Monte, navigation, orbit determination and mission operations for GEO and deep space

Experience with autonomy for satellite, constellation management, orbit insertion, station‑keeping, and collision avoidance

Low and high thrust trajectory design and optimization

Hands‑on experience with small satellites, robotic systems, or similar

Optical Communication Terminals (OCT)

Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT)

C++ and Python, experience

Salary and Benefits Your actual level and base salary will be determined case‑by‑case and may vary based on the job‑related qualification, knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Salary Range

$150,000 - $180,000 USD

100% Company‑paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents

401(k) Match

Flexible Time Off (FTO)

Education Reimbursement

About Terran Orbital Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end‑to‑end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on‑orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com

Physical Demands An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. In performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit or stand for long durations of time, in addition to bending, reaching, and walking. This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. This position is generally sedentary, with substantial computer usage. The job operates in a professional office environment but in a manufacturing company. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.

Disclaimers To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. In addition, please note that this position may require a current United States National Security clearance or eligibility for such a clearance.

EEO Statement Terran Orbital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.

Contact If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hr@terranorbital.com.

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