Sr. Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer
Bluecanyontech· Aviation & Aerospace· Sep 15, 2026 · 1mo ago
Boulder, Colorado
In office
Full-time
Senior
$137K–$186K est.
7+ years exp
Job description
Blue Canyon Technologies, RTX's small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider, is solving some of the toughest challenges in space. Our components and bus platforms have completed missions ranging from very-low Earth orbits to lunar and interplanetary journeys at a fraction of the cost of traditional space systems. We support premier defense, commercial and civil organizations including the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA, MIT Lincoln Lab, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Colorado and more. Join our innovative and dynamic company as we build, test and operate the small spacecraft of the future.
Position Purpose:
Sr. GNC Engineer has full GNC subsystem responsibility for multiple space missions, including all program phases from new business development through on-orbit operations. The Sr. GNC Engineer will lead development of new and improved capabilities, features, and infrastructure of the GNC subsystem.
Title: Sr. Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer
Position Type: Full Time
Pay Range: $100,000 - $185,000
(Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.)
Location: Boulder, CO (work locations are subject to change based on business need).
Benefits:
Employer sponsored health, dental, and vision benefits effective the first of the month following hire date
Life insurance
401k (matching 4% with a minimum 5% contribution)
Generous PTO (3 weeks of vacation + 3 floating holidays, 2 weeks of sick time, 7 paid holidays throughout the year) and parental leave
Job Responsibilities:
Design, analyze, test, and deploy GN&C subsystems for small spacecraft ranging from CubeSat (10 cm square) to ESPA-class (24 x 28 x 38 inches), deployed in LEO, GEO, lunar, deep space, and other orbits
Develop new GN&C technologies to support customer needs and BCT strategic goals
Lead continued evolution of certain GN&C processes and tools/infrastructure
Lead certain GN&C hardware selection and performance details
Participate in all mission phases including new business development, design reviews, software and hardware-level test, on-orbit commissioning and operations
Provide guidance and mentoring to younger engineers
May include personnel management responsibilities
Other responsibilities as assigned
Required Qualifications/Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related Engineering discipline and at least 7 years of relevant experience.
Knowledge of systems integration and testing experience with MATLAB/Simulink
Ability to rapidly work with minimal supervision on projects involving both small and large engineering teams.
Experience with running 6-DOF simulation
Must be able to work in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment with emphasis on rapid prototyping and fielding of capabilities.
Experience with configuration management and issue tracking tools preferred
Capability to independently develop new GN&C technology
Comprehensive knowledge of spacecraft GN&C, ranging from orbital mechanics, spacecraft sensors and actuators, and attitude dynamics and controls
Knowledge of spacecraft GN&C testing best practices
Experience with C and Ruby languages preferred
Experience with Model Based Design and auto-coding preferred
Practical experience working with orbital vehicles or autonomous systems, embedded software, and algorithmic design
Previous experience with small satellites, especially small satellite GN&C preferred
Experience with simulator/hardware test development and execution, as well as mission operations is a plus
Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education
Working Conditions:
This job operates in a professional office environment, but in a manufacturing company. This role uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets and fax machines. BCT anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require BCT to shorten or extend the application window.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to stand, bend, reach, and walk. The position requires some light physical effort. This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities are required by this job which includes close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Blue Canyon Technologies is a drug-free workplace and an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected factor. Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. Blue Canyon Technologies is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Melissa Po at
HR@bluecanyontech.com .
We recommend applying directly via the Blue Canyon Technologies website, careers page:
bluecanyontech.com
Application prep
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- Platform
- bamboohr
- Effort
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
401k
Pto
Parental Leave