Director of Guidance Navigation & Control

Key Responsibilities

• Set the long-term technical vision, strategy, and roadmap for GNC capabilities, tools, processes, and team development.
• Own system-level architecture decisions for guidance, navigation, control, simulation, validation, and autonomy-related functions.
• Lead the GNC team at Turion Space by owning team structure, hiring plans, and team development.
• Serve as the senior technical authority for GNC, providing direction on trade studies, requirements, interfaces, performance targets, and risk management.
• Establish engineering standards, review practices, modeling and simulation expectations, verification methods, and certification or compliance approaches where applicable.
• Mentor and develop senior engineers and technical leads, while raising the overall technical bar of the organization.
• Drive make-versus-buy decisions, provide technical oversight of suppliers, and manage external partnerships related to GNC/RPO technologies.
• Represent GNC technical direction and program status in executive reviews, customer discussions, design reviews, and major decision forums.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in roles related to guidance, navigation, and control engineering, with progressive growth from hands-on technical execution to senior technical leadership, architecture ownership, and strategic decision-making.
• Expertise implementing GNC algorithms as production flight code (C/C++) and ground analysis tools (Python/MATLAB).
• Extensive experience leading GNC engineering teams for complex aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, defense, space, aviation, or similarly platforms.
• Proven experience supporting satellite bus operations, providing support for GNC-related activities and resolving on-orbit anomalies.
• Demonstrated ownership of GNC architecture, technology roadmaps, and system-level technical direction across multiple programs or product generations.
• Deep expertise in control theory, estimation/navigation, flight dynamics, guidance algorithms, modeling and simulation, and verification and validation.
• Prominent ability to influence executive stakeholders, manage technical risk, and make high-impact decisions under uncertainty.
• Experience building, mentoring, and scaling high-performing engineering teams.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical topics into clear strategic recommendations.
• Preferred: Direct spacecraft GNC experience in SDA, autonomous navigation, rendezvous safety, maneuver planning, or proximity operations.

Director of GNC

$200,000-$273,000
Employees may be asked to support alternate shifts, extended shifts, and/or travel during peak work periods.

ITAR Requirements

This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits

• Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.
• Retail Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan with a 3% Employer Direct Contribution to help you plan for your future.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.
• Parental Leave: Paid parental leave following the birth of a newborn or adoption.
• Emotional Wellbeing: A no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your household’s emotional health and wellbeing.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing internal training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.
• Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.