GNC Engineer

Poseidonaero
Alameda, US
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to engineers with hands-on GNC experience working in autonomous aviation.

Best fit for

  • Individuals with a background in implementing control algorithms on high-performance hardware platforms.
    — “Experience implementing flight control and/or navigation algorithms on aircraft or similar high-performance vehicles”
  • Engineers who can bridge simulation and real-world testing, especially in dynamic environments.
    — “Tackle complex and novel challenges related to precise and reliable aircraft control, particularly in dynamic and changing environments”

Things to consider

  • Requires full-time commitment with potential for relocation support depending on the candidate's location.
    — “Relocation support if applicable”
  • Candidates must be prepared to work on hardware directly and integrate with avionics teams.
    — “Design and implement flight control algorithms directly on hardware”

How to stand out

  • Highlight simulation environment creation and flight control algorithm implementation on hardware.
    — “Develop and maintain our simulation environment for analyzing aircraft attitude, stability, and flight performance”
  • Emphasize experience in 6-DOF simulations and hardware-in-the-loop testing for GNC systems.
    — “Familiarity with verification and validation of GNC flight software, including the use of 6-DOF simulations and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing”
  • Showcase specific examples of GNC system design and testing for autonomous or high-performance vehicles.
    — “Demonstrated technical ownership of functional vehicle control systems, including design and simulation”
  • Demonstrate ability to optimize control systems using simulation data and flight performance analysis.
    — “Use simulation data to inform and optimize control system design, focusing on flight dynamics and performance”
  • Demonstrate collaborative skills with avionics and software engineers for integrated GNC solutions.
    — “Collaborate closely with avionics and software engineers to ensure reliable and efficient control and navigation solutions”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • develop and maintain simulation environments
  • implement flight control algorithms
  • collaborate with avionics engineers
  • support prototyping efforts
Typical background
experience with GNC systemsability to develop creative solutions

Skills & requirements

Required

GNC DevelopmentVehicle Dynamics ModelingFlight Control System DesignSimulation EnvironmentsFlight Control AlgorithmsAvionics IntegrationFlight Dynamics Analysis

Preferred

HITL TestingC++PythonSimulink6-dof Simulations

Stack & domain

C++PythonSimulink

About the role

Original posting from Poseidonaero via Ashby

ABOUT POSEIDON AEROSPACE:

Poseidon Aerospace is reimagining how the world moves goods. We build and operate full-size autonomous cargo aircraft - capable of carrying two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. From remote communities to contested logistics operations, our platforms unlock a new cost curve for air freight, making it faster, cheaper, and accessible anywhere it's needed. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with locations in Washington DC, Oregon, and Maine; we're building something consequential.

As a GNC Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will develop and implement control systems to ensure accurate and reliable performance of our aircraft. Your work will include vehicle dynamics modeling, flight control system design, and integrating your solutions into flight-ready avionics. We’re looking for someone who brings comprehensive GNC development skills to the team, from modeling to practical implementation.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and maintain our simulation environment for analyzing aircraft attitude, stability, and flight performance.
  • Design and implement flight control algorithms directly on hardware, taking ownership of software development for GNC systems.
  • Use simulation data to inform and optimize control system design, focusing on flight dynamics and performance.
  • Collaborate closely with avionics and software engineers to ensure reliable and efficient control and navigation solutions.
  • Analyze flight trajectories, control profiles, and stability characteristics to maximize aircraft performance and safety.
  • Contribute to high-level design decisions related to aircraft control systems and flight performance.
  • Support prototyping efforts by implementing and testing control algorithms on prototype hardware.
  • Tackle complex and novel challenges related to precise and reliable aircraft control, particularly in dynamic and changing environments.

Ideal Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated technical ownership of functional vehicle control systems, including design and simulation (e.g., "I developed and tested the GNC for XYZ aircraft").
  • Experience creating simulation environments from the ground up, with a clear understanding of best practices.
  • Experience implementing flight control and/or navigation algorithms on aircraft or similar high-performance vehicles.
  • Familiarity with verification and validation of GNC flight software, including the use of 6-DOF simulations and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop creative solutions for real-world control challenges.
  • Fundamentals of C++/python/simulink for implementing control algorithms

WHAT YOU GET FROM US

  • Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity
  • Relocation support if applicable
  • Employee Health Benefit Plans
  • 6% Retirement matching
  • Flexible PTO
  • Free lunches, snacks, and a stocked fridge at our offices
  • AI tools and subscriptions

Source: Poseidonaero careers (Ashby)

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