Spacecraft GNC Manager

Come be a part of the 21st Century Space Race. At Firefly, we are focused on the leading edge of space systems progression. Our company is committed to providing economical and convenient access to space for small payloads through the design, manufacture, and operation of reliable launch vehicles and spacecraft. To get there, we are looking for incredibly passionate, bright, and determined people to join our team. SUMMARY As the Spacecraft GNC Manager at Firefly, you will lead the development and operations of spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems across Firefly’s growing fleet of orbital and lunar missions. You will manage a multidisciplinary team spanning attitude control, flight dynamics, and navigation, ensuring system performance from concept through operations. Your leadership will guide the architecture, development, and validation of GNC algorithms, flight software interfaces, and mission operations procedures supporting precision pointing, orbit transfers, and planetary landings. RESPONSIBILITIES Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing spacecraft GNC team spanning ADCS, flight dynamics, and navigation disciplines. Define GNC system architecture and performance requirements across Firefly spacecraft programs, including orbiters, landers, and future deep-space vehicles. Oversee design, analysis, and verification of control laws, state estimation filters, and guidance algorithms for spacecraft pointing, attitude stabilization, and trajectory control. Direct mission design, orbit determination, and maneuver planning activities through pre-launch design, launch, and on-orbit operations. Integrate GNC subsystems with avionics, software, propulsion, and mission operations teams to ensure system-level performance and reliability. Establish best practices for GNC verification and validation (V&V), including hardware-in-the-loop testing, Monte Carlo simulations, and operational rehearsals. Lead troubleshooting and anomaly resolution for on-orbit GNC performance, ensuring mission safety and recovery strategies. Represent the GNC discipline in program reviews, technical exchanges, and customer briefings. Drive continuous improvement of tools, automation, and analytical pipelines supporting design, analysis, and operations. QUALIFICATIONS Required Professional experience developing and operating spacecraft GNC or ADCS systems for Earth-orbiting or interplanetary missions. Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, physics, or related field, and 10+ years of relevant work experience. Demonstrated leadership or management of a technical GNC or flight dynamics team. Expertise in attitude determination and control, estimation, and guidance algorithm development. Experience with orbit determination, maneuver planning, and trajectory design. Proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB, with strong understanding of numerical methods and software development practices (Git, CI/CD, testing frameworks). Strong communication skills, with experience presenting technical content to mixed technical and program audiences. Proven ability to lead under pressure in fast-paced operational or development environments. Desired 15+ years of relevant experience, including experience as a technical or functional manager. Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, or related field. Experience supporting or leading on-orbit operations for spacecraft GNC or ADCS systems. Proficiency with simulation and analysis tools such as Monte, MATLAB/Simulink, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or custom Python frameworks. Familiarity with Linux-based environments, scripting, and containerized toolchains. Understanding of sensor and actuator hardware (e.g., reaction wheels, thrusters, star trackers, gyros, sun sensors). Background in fault management, GNC mode logic, and closed-loop autonomy. Experience integrating GNC algorithms with flight software and ground systems.