Fortastracorporation

Fortastracorporation

Head of Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Torrance, CA

No sponsorshipDetected 10 days ago
TypeScriptPythonC++MATLABAlgorithmsAvionicsSystems EngineeringElectrical EngineeringControlsSimulinkLeadership

About the role

  • This is a technical leadership role, not a pure management position.
  • The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in control theory, estimation, and orbital mechanics, combined with a track record of delivering flight-proven systems and leading high-performing engineering teams.

Responsibilities

  • Own the end-to-end GN&C architecture across all spacecraft programs, ensuring performance, robustness, and mission alignment
  • Define and drive technical strategy and roadmap for autonomy-enabled control systems in dynamic and contested environments
  • Lead the design, implementation, and validation of GNC algorithms for RPO, formation flying, and precision maneuvering
  • Drive integration of GN&C with flight software, autonomy, avionics, and mission systems
  • Own simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and performance validation under uncertainty, off-nominal conditions, and failure scenarios
  • Lead hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and flight test campaigns, ensuring readiness for operational deployment
  • Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-caliber GN&C team, setting a high bar for technical excellence and accountability

Requirements

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Ability to obtain or hold an active TS/SCI clearance
  • 10+ years of experience in spacecraft, launch vehicle, or autonomous system GN&C
  • Deep expertise in control systems, nonlinear dynamics, and state estimation (e.g., Kalman filtering)
  • B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field
  • Demonstrated ownership of flight-critical GN&C systems from concept through on-orbit operations
  • Strong experience with relative motion, orbital mechanics, and RPO or formation flying missions
  • Proven ability to lead technical teams and deliver complex systems under schedule and performance constraints
  • Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++
  • Experience integrating algorithms into embedded flight software and HIL environments
  • Strong systems engineering mindset with the ability to operate across disciplines

Visa & Work Authorization

  • Citizenship required

This listing is sourced directly from Fortastracorporation's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.