Principal GNC Engineer

Are you a Principal GNC Engineer looking to architect the flight control systems that will power the next generation of spacecraft, orbital transfer vehicles, and lunar missions?

Do you want to lead the design of high-performance GNC systems from concept through flight operations while mentoring world‑class engineers?

Are you excited by the opportunity to join one of the fastest growing commercial space companies founded by one of the industry's leading propulsion innovators? If so, this could be your next challenge.

Impulse Space is one of the fastest growing companies in the commercial space sector. Founded by Tom Mueller, the engineer behind the Merlin and Draco engines that helped transform modern spaceflight, the company is building the transportation infrastructure that powers the next generation of space missions.

As a Principal GNC Engineer
, you will provide technical leadership across the architecture, design, implementation, and verification of Guidance, Navigation and Control systems for a range of advanced spacecraft. Working closely with propulsion, avionics, flight software, and mission operations teams, you will define GNC strategies that support scalable production while solving some of the most challenging problems in modern spacecraft control. This is a highly influential role where your technical expertise will shape both current programmes and the future direction of Impulse Space's flight control capabilities.

Equity: This role includes a very significant equity package in one of the fastest growing start‑ups within the Space sector!

Ownership: You will have the opportunity to lead the development of flight control systems that enable spacecraft to perform complex orbital manoeuvres, satellite transfers, and deep space missions.

You’ll take ownership of GNC architecture across multiple programmes, from initial concept through simulation, software implementation, hardware verification, and mission operations.

• Architecting Guidance, Navigation and Control systems for high-performance spacecraft, orbital transfer vehicles, upper stages, and lunar landers
• Designing robust flight control algorithms for spacecraft operating across LEO, GEO, and deep space missions
• Developing control verification strategies and generating validation data across Impulse Space’s portfolio of propulsive missions
• Leading the development of GNC software for both flight systems and high‑fidelity simulation environments
• Creating reusable tools, frameworks, and processes that accelerate GNC development across multiple spacecraft programmes
• Defining technical standards and best practices for spacecraft control systems while mentoring and developing engineering teams

• A Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering discipline
• Experience designing and analyzing Guidance, Navigation and Control systems for spacecraft or other high-performance aerospace vehicles
• Strong proficiency in MATLAB and C++
• Extensive experience performing control system analysis in both the time and frequency domains