Autonomy Engineer, GNC (Aerospace Engineer)

Redwire is an innovative space and defense technology company driving advanced capabilities across the aerospace sector. We are looking for a leader who can contribute to concept of operations development, mission solution design, and strategic analysis for spacecraft programs supporting National Security Space. This includes work spanning space domain awareness, space resiliency, mission autonomy, structures, sensors, and next‑generation space systems.

What You’ll Do As an Autonomy Engineer focused on Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), you’ll design and deliver the core systems that determine how our spacecraft orient, navigate, maneuver, and respond on orbit. You’ll work across the full lifecycle—from algorithm design and simulation to hardware integration and mission operations—to ensure our vehicles perform reliably in every phase of flight.

In this role, you will: Build and integrate GNC software and hardware subsystems across all orbital regimes, collaborating closely with spacecraft bus providers and internal engineering teams. Develop software‑defined autonomy that enables precise maneuvering, safe navigation, and robust mission execution. Design flight‑software algorithms and create high‑fidelity 6‑DOF simulation environments supporting SIL, HIL, and advanced mission analysis.

Develop and execute validation plans for ground checkout, on‑orbit commissioning, and operational phases; support launch campaigns and real‑time mission operations. Expand and apply sensor‑fusion and estimation frameworks (EKF, UKF, batch least‑squares) for AOD/AOE, and refine control laws to meet stability, performance, and robustness requirements.

Conduct trade studies for key GNC components—reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, sun sensors, IMUs, GNSS, and RF/optical navigation sensors—and recommend optimal configurations. Provide Monte Carlo analysis and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing capabilities to validate behavior across nominal and off‑nominal scenarios.

Define GNC requirements, interfaces, and verification plans alongside avionics, propulsion, mission operations, systems engineering, and flight software teams. Collaborate directly with operators and mission partners to translate mission needs into practical, high-performance GNC features. Support on‑orbit commissioning, calibration, maneuver planning, anomaly resolution, and automated fault‑response logic development.

Ideal Experience 2+ years of professional software engineering experience focused on Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), designing and delivering core systems. Strong engineering foundation in Aerospace, Dynamics & Controls, Computer Science, Physics, or related disciplines. Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C++, and Linux-based development workflows.

Experience building and debugging simulations or flight‑software components; ability to navigate complex system requirements. Background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, estimation, and control theory. Familiarity with rendezvous/proximity operations, docking, propulsive maneuvering, and resident space object (RSO) tracking concepts.

Strong communication skills with the ability to document clearly and collaborate across disciplines. U.S. Person eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS/SCI) security clearance. Desired Experience Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field. Experience with closed‑loop control, orbital maneuvering, filtering/state estimation, fault management, or mission‑software development.

Hands-on spacecraft operations experience, including real-time decision-making on console. Development of 3‑DOF and 6‑DOF high‑fidelity dynamics models for GNC analysis and validation. Experience validating systems using Flat. Sats, HIL testbeds, and digital spacecraft simulators across nominal and off‑nominal scenarios.

Background in propulsion subsystem testing or environmental lab setups reflecting space conditions. Familiarity with line‑of‑sight performance analysis (jitter, smear, pointing accuracy). Experience using computer‑vision/perception algorithms in support of GNC (e.g., feature tracking). Understanding of U.S. satellite operations policy and mission constraints across orbital regimes.

Ability to maintain TS//SCI clearance.

Pay range

$96,000 - $130,000 per year Grow with us as we innovate the next generation capabilities for a new era of space exploration! We offer a highly competitive benefits package along with a commitment to our core values of Integrity, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, and Excellence. Don’t meet every single requirement above? No worries.

We want people who can grow, collaborate and build a stronger team. We strive to build a diverse and inclusive culture, so if you’re excited about this job posting, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Redwire Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with MIS is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

All offers of employment at Redwire Space are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.

S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the Click Here EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS: This position may require access to information, materials, or technology subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR").

To comply with these regulations, applicants may be asked to provide documentation to verify their status as a "U.S. person" as defined under the ITAR and EAR, or their eligibility to obtain any required U.S. Government export authorization. Redwire complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act, and does not discriminate on the basis of citizenship status or national origin except as required by law.