Lead GNC Engineer

Job Title:

Lead GNC Engineer

Job Description

The Lead GNC Engineer drives the design, verification, validation, testing, and characterization of guidance, navigation, control (GNC) and perception systems that enable manual, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous rover operations. This role defines the technical direction and system architecture for GNC and perception, leads a high-performing engineering team, and ensures the integrated solution meets demanding safety, reliability, and mission performance requirements. You will shape mission-critical architecture for a next-generation lunar rover in a highly collaborative, startup-style environment, partnering closely with avionics, software, vehicle engineering, and mission operations teams.

Responsibilities

* Lead the design, verification, validation, testing, and characterization of GNC and perception systems for manual, semi-autonomous, and autonomous rover operations.

* Define the technical direction and system architecture for GNC and perception systems, incorporating inputs from GNC, avionics, and software stakeholders.

* Manage and mentor a team of GNC and perception engineers, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.

* Collaborate with avionics engineers to select, test, characterize, and calibrate GNC and perception sensors.

* Work closely with simulation and software teams to prototype, refine, and analyze GNC algorithms in vehicle simulation and software test environments.

* Partner with the flight software team to support implementation, integration, and testing of GNC and perception flight software.

* Define, plan, and oversee testing and validation of the integrated GNC solution across simulation, lab, field, and analog test platforms.

* Coordinate GNC and perception system design, implementation, and testing with vehicle engineering, including sensor and lighting placement, as well as with avionics, software, and mission operations teams.

* Ensure GNC and perception system designs meet applicable safety, reliability, and fault tolerance requirements.

* Balance performance, risk, and embedded compute constraints when defining architectures and algorithms.

* Ensure rover GNC and perception systems support tele-operated, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous vehicle operations.

* Provide technical leadership and support for GNC and perception during rover operations on the lunar surface.

Essential Skills

* 10+ years of experience developing GNC, perception, and autonomy systems for space vehicles, extraterrestrial rovers, or autonomous terrestrial vehicles.

* Proven experience leading high-performing engineering teams and delivering complex technical programs under aggressive timelines and constrained resources.

* Strong experience across the full vehicle development lifecycle, from architecture and trade studies through embedded implementation, verification, testing, and operations.

* Deep expertise in perception and navigation systems, including sensor integration, image processing, localization, multi-sensor odometry, terrain-relative navigation, pose estimation, hazard detection, terrain mapping, and route planning.

* Experience designing and executing autonomy and navigation test campaigns across simulation, lab, field, and analog environments.

* Proficiency using statistical analysis methods such as Monte Carlo for validation and performance assessment.

* Hands-on experience developing and optimizing embedded autonomy, perception, and navigation software for compute- and power-constrained systems.

* Familiarity with the unique challenges of extraterrestrial rover operations, including lunar terrain, lighting conditions, regolith, thermal constraints, limited power environments, and mission assurance expectations.

* Prior experience implementing and testing GNC and perception system software on real flight hardware or embedded platforms.

* Demonstrated ability to define and manage end-to-end GNC architecture and design life cycles, including algorithm development and integration.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

* Experience working in highly collaborative, cross-functional engineering environments involving avionics, software, vehicle engineering, and mission operations.

* Experience in balancing performance, risk, and embedded compute constraints in safety-critical systems.

* Exposure to partnership or coordination with major space agencies or similar mission-driven organizations.

* Comfort operating in a startup-style, resource-constrained environment where autonomy and ownership are expected.

Work Environment

The role operates in a fast-paced, startup-style environment where autonomy, initiative, and ownership are essential. The team works in a highly collaborative, open workspace that encourages close interaction among GNC, avionics, software, vehicle engineering, and mission operations. You will work with advanced simulation tools, embedded computing platforms, flight hardware, and a variety of lab and analog test setups to validate GNC and perception…