Job Description

Director of Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Location: San Francisco, United States

We are a launch vehicle and space systems manufacturer advancing the next generation of reliable, frequent, and cost effective access to space. As we scale our launch capabilities, we are establishing a new leadership position to own and build our Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) function from the ground up.

We are seeking a Director of GNC who is both a technical expert and a hands on builder. This is not a maintenance or legacy support role. It is an opportunity to create the GNC organisation, define the technical roadmap, and directly contribute to the algorithms, simulations and tests that drive our rockets from liftoff to orbit.

This role reports into our launch leadership team and is highly cross functional, operating at the intersection of GNC, flight software, avionics and propulsion. The Director of GNC will influence how we design, test, validate and operate our launch vehicles, including the adoption of modern engineering tools that improve velocity and system performance.

Role Overview

The Director of GNC will be both lead engineer and team builder. You will be writing algorithms, developing simulation environments, leading hardware in the loop testing campaigns and using flight data to close the loop on system performance. At the same time, you will recruit, mentor and develop a high performing GNC team capable of supporting a rapidly evolving launch system.

This is a high impact, hands on role for someone who wants to shape the trajectory of a growing rocket program.

Key Responsibilities

Build and Lead the GNC Team

Recruit, hire and develop GNC engineers. Define roles, set priorities, and establish a culture where technical rigor, accountability and high performance are core values.

Own the Complete GNC System

Drive requirements, architecture, algorithm development, simulation modeling and trajectory design. Serve as the final technical authority across guidance, navigation and control.

Integrate Modern Engineering Tools

Identify and integrate AI and machine learning assisted tools into the development workflow to accelerate testing, simulation, data analysis and model validation. We view these tools as a multiplier for expert engineering capability.

Develop Scalable Test Infrastructure

Build test automation spanning simulation environments, hardware in the loop testing, engine test cell exercises and integrated vehicle testing. Establish verification and validation practices that scale with increased launch cadence.

Partner Across Vehicle Disciplines

Collaborate with flight software, avionics, propulsion and structures teams to define interfaces, specify requirements and influence system level decisions. Operate at a whole vehicle mindset.

Support Launch Operations

Participate in mission control operations and own GNC responsibilities during countdown and flight. Review performance, make decisions under pressure and provide technical guidance during live operations.

Close the Loop with Data

Use ground and flight test data to validate system performance, improve simulation fidelity and drive continuous improvement into the GNC architecture.

Required Experience

The strongest candidates will bring:

• Ten or more years of experience in aerospace vehicle GNC development and simulation
• Proven technical leadership in developing and delivering flight critical GNC systems
• Experience building and scaling engineering teams while remaining hands on in algorithm development and simulation work
• Practical intuition built through real flight programs, not only theoretical study
• Deep understanding of navigation sensor integration and data fusion such as IMUs, GPS and star trackers
• Familiarity with integrating AI and machine learning tools into engineering workflows, or the capability to build this vision rapidly
• Experience troubleshooting cross subsystem interactions at the system level
• Strong communication, mentorship and feedback skills
• An advanced degree in engineering, physics, mathematics or equivalent experience
• Experience with Simulink and model based design workflows
• Comfort operating in fast moving, iterative engineering environments supporting a regular launch cadence

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Adam Slade

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