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.

The Role

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.
• Support 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.

What We Look For

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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, FreeFlyer, Basilisk, or similar aerospace tools.
• Experience supporting spacecraft integration, launch campaigns, and mission operations.
• Active U.S. Security Clearance.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: $200,000 – $270,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.
• Performance-Based Incentive opportunities.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Company-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Paid company holidays.
• Work alongside industry-leading engineers developing advanced space and defense technologies.

Work Environment

This position is primarily onsite and involves spacecraft analysis, simulation development, hardware integration, testing, and mission support activities. Candidates should be comfortable working in engineering laboratories, integration facilities, and collaborative development environments.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to develop the algorithms and control systems that enable spacecraft to navigate, orient, and operate autonomously in space. Your work will directly influence the performance, reliability, and success of future missions.

Our Vision and Values

• We believe that innovation happens when talented people are empowered to solve difficult problems.
• Our culture is built on technical excellence, integrity, ownership, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering solutions that matter.
• We Care Deeply About Mission Success
• Technical Excellence
• Innovation and Continuous Learning
• Integrity and Accountability
• Teamwork and Respect
• Delivering Real-World Impact

Location

Torrance, California

Security & Export Control

To comply with U.S. Government export control regulations, applicants must be (i) a U.S. citizen or national, (ii) a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), (iii) a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, (iv) an asylee under 8 U.S.C.1158, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance. As a result, applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Nova Solvers is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace built on respect, collaboration, and inclusion. We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, and believe they strengthen our ability to innovate and solve complex challenges.