Principal Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer

About Nova Solvers

Nova Solvers is an advanced engineering company developing spacecraft, avionics, sensing systems, autonomous technologies, and mission-critical solutions for commercial, civil, defense, and national security customers. Our team specializes in transforming complex challenges into innovative, high-performance systems that operate in the most demanding environments. We are passionate about building technologies that enable the next generation of space missions and defense capabilities.

Nova Solvers is an advanced engineering company developing spacecraft, avionics, sensing systems, autonomous technologies, and mission-critical solutions for commercial, civil, defense, and national security customers. Our team specializes in transforming complex challenges into innovative, high-performance systems that operate in the most demanding environments. We are passionate about building technologies that enable the next generation of space missions and defense capabilities.

Nova Solvers is seeking a Mid-Level Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer to support the development of spacecraft attitude determination, attitude control, orbit control, and autonomous mission capabilities. This role will contribute to the design, analysis, simulation, integration, and testing of GNC algorithms and flight software supporting a variety of space missions.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with experience developing spacecraft control systems and supporting programs through analysis, simulation, integration, and test. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with systems, software, avionics, and mission engineers to develop next-generation space technologies.

• Support the development and implementation of spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control algorithms.
• Perform spacecraft attitude determination, orbit determination, and trajectory analysis.
• Develop and maintain high-fidelity spacecraft simulations and analysis tools.
• Design and analyze attitude control systems utilizing reaction wheels, thrusters, magnetorquers, and other actuators.
• Support sensor integration including star trackers, sun sensors, gyroscopes, GPS receivers, and inertial measurement units.
• Develop mission concepts, operational scenarios, and spacecraft performance analyses.
• Support requirements development, system trades, and design reviews.
• Perform Monte Carlo simulations, sensitivity analyses, and performance assessments.
• Support hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, and integrated system testing.
• Assist with flight software verification and validation activities.
• Support environmental testing, spacecraft integration, and mission readiness activities.
• Investigate anomalies, perform root-cause analyses, and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with systems, software, electrical, mechanical, and mission operations teams.
• Generate technical reports, analysis products, and configuration-controlled documentation.

We are looking for engineers who enjoy solving challenging dynamics, estimation, and control problems while contributing directly to mission success. Successful candidates are analytical, collaborative, and comfortable working across multiple engineering disciplines.

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
• 10-15+ years of experience developing spacecraft, satellite, aerospace, or other high-reliability systems.
• Experience with spacecraft dynamics, orbital mechanics, estimation theory, and control systems.
• Experience developing simulations and analysis tools using MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C++, or similar environments.
• Understanding of spacecraft attitude determination and control concepts.
• Experience supporting verification, validation, integration, and test activities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced development environment.

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• Experience supporting GEO, LEO, cislunar, or deep-space missions.
• Experience with Kalman filters, state estimation, orbit determination, and sensor fusion techniques.
• Experience developing flight software or embedded control systems.
• Familiarity with reaction wheel systems, propulsion systems, and spacecraft actuators.
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop or software-in-the-loop testing.
• Familiarity with STK, GMAT, Free Flyer, Basilisk, or similar aerospace tools.
• Experience supporting spacecraft integration, launch campaigns, and mission operations.
• Active U.S. Security Clearance.

At Nova Solvers, you'll work alongside experienced engineers developing advanced technologies that support some of the most challenging missions in space and defense. We provide an environment where individuals can take ownership, contribute directly to mission success, and help build…