Sr. GNC Engineer (Starship) Controls
SpaceX · Not provided by source
MeritLog read this listing from SpaceX's Greenhouse job board and last checked it on September 9, 2026.
Source: the employer's Greenhouse job board. Open the original listing for current details.
Job details
- Work model
- Not provided by source
- Salary
- Not listed by source
- Location
- Starbase, TX
Hiring context
How this role compares at SpaceX
SpaceX has 2,355 live roles in MeritLog’s catalog across 11 job families, and 1,419 of them are in engineering. 197 of those listings publish a pay range, a disclosure rate of 8%.
SpaceX concentrates this hiring in:
Counted across the job boards MeritLog tracks, at the time this page was served. Pay comparisons use only listings that publish a complete range in the same currency and period.
What the role asks for
What you'd do
- Develop innovative guidance, navigation, and control systems for Starship
- Engage in multi-disciplinary vehicle systems investigations and design work that define the systems architecture
- Implement new software or algorithms to enable mission-unique capabilities and leading-edge launch vehicle performance
- Develop 6-DOF dynamics simulation models used for GNC systems analysis and validation
- Analyze launch vehicle trajectories, performance dispersions, and flight stability
- Conduct post-flight data review and correlation with analyses for continued improvement of predictions
- Support launch and mission operations of vehicles that you enabled
- Perform testing of GNC software utilizing hardware-in-the-loop testing, Monte Carlo analysis, and algorithm unit testing
What they're asking for
- Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering disciplineEducation
- 5+ years of professional experienceExperience
- Experience with control systems, orbital mechanics, classical dynamics, modeling, and simulationSkill
- Experience with the software languages Python or C++Skill
- Postgraduate degree in physics or an engineering disciplineEducationPreferred
- Experience in aerodynamics, sensors and actuatorsSkillPreferred
- Demonstrated project or professional experience in launch vehicle and/or spacecraft systemSkillPreferred
- Capable of solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated teamSkillPreferred
- Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflightSkillPreferred
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbalSkillPreferred
- Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as neededSkillPreferred
- 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. Learn more about the ITAR here.SkillPreferred
Parsed by MeritLog from the employer’s own posting. The full description follows below.
Job description
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. SR. GNC ENGINEER (STARSHIP) As a GNC Engineer, you will be responsible for pushing the technical boundaries of flight control systems for the world’s most advanced rockets, including our next-generation Starship vehicle, a fully reusable spacecraft capable of carrying humans to Mars and beyond. You will work with a talented team of accomplished engineers to develop, analyze, and test vehicles and subsystems for highly reliable flight. You should thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments where you adapt quickly and love to solve hard problems. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Develop innovative guidance, navigation, and control systems for Starship • Engage in multi-disciplinary vehicle systems investigations and design work that define the systems architecture • Implement new software or algorithms to enable mission-unique capabilities and leading-edge launch vehicle performance • Develop 6-DOF dynamics simulation models used for GNC systems analysis and validation • Analyze launch vehicle trajectories, performance dispersions, and flight stability • Conduct post-flight data review and correlation with analyses for continued improvement of predictions • Support launch and mission operations of vehicles that you enabled • Perform testing of GNC software utilizing hardware-in-the-loop testing, Monte Carlo analysis, and algorithm unit testing BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering discipline • 5+ years of professional experience • Experience with control systems, orbital mechanics, classical dynamics, modeling, and simulation • Experience with the software languages Python or C++ PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: • Postgraduate degree in physics or an engineering discipline • Experience in aerodynamics, sensors and actuators • Demonstrated project or professional experience in launch vehicle and/or spacecraft system • Capable of solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team • Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: • Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed ITAR REQUIREMENTS: • 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. Learn more about the ITAR here. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX 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. Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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