Guidance Navigation & Controls Automation Engineer
Houston, TX
About Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With the first commercial lunar landing in history, multiple NASA lunar missions in development, and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting our customers and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.
About The Position
Intuitive Machines is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer to join our team. In this role, the candidate will contribute to the design, development, and testing of the GNC system for the Lunar Data Network (LDN) spacecraft, which will provide navigation and communications services to lunar users. This position will support real-time GNC flight software development, flight control automation, HWIL sensor and effector integration, performance analysis, and testing.
Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the design, development, and testing of GNC automation for the LDN spacecraft
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across software and hardware systems
- Develop, test, and peer review GNC flight software in C and C++
- Support the selection, assessment, and integration of GNC sensors and effector systems
- Execute and analyze 6-DOF simulations to evaluate expected on-orbit performance
- Support navigation HWIL sensor and effector integration and testing for the LDN satellite constellation
- Assist in real-time flight software development, integration, and testing for the LDN satellite
Qualifications:
- BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field with 3–7 years of relevant experience
- Experience developing spacecraft automation software
- Experience with real-time software development
- Familiarity with GN&C hardware including IMU, Star Trackers, GPS, LIDAR, and/or OpNav systems
- Experience with SWIL and/or HWIL testing and integration
- Exposure to relative navigation, image processing, or feature detection techniques
- Experience supporting flight control analysis and evaluating vehicle performance and stability
- Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Python
- Experience with GN&C sensor testing, planning, or modeling
- Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment
- Foundational knowledge of spacecraft dynamics and orbital mechanics
- Experience with JIRA and Agile development processes
- Familiarity with VxWorks or other real-time operating systems is a plus
- Experience with Git version control preferred
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and documentation skills
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hands-on experience with navigation sensor hardware, Kalman filtering, LIDAR, real-time software, Monte Carlo analysis, and C/C++ or Python
- Experience contributing to GNC development efforts on spacecraft or satellite programs
- Prior experience working with or supporting satellite systems
US EEO Statement
Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Skills Required
- BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering or a related field
- 3-7 years of relevant experience
- Experience developing spacecraft automation software
- Experience with real-time software development
- Familiarity with GN&C hardware, including IMUs, star trackers, GPS, LIDAR, or optical navigation systems
- Experience with SWIL or HWIL testing and integration
- Exposure to relative navigation, image processing, or feature detection techniques
- Experience supporting flight control analysis and evaluating vehicle performance and stability
- Proficiency in C, C++, or Python
- Experience with GN&C sensor testing, planning, or modeling
- Experience working in a multidisciplinary team environment
- Foundational knowledge of spacecraft dynamics and orbital mechanics
- Experience with JIRA and Agile development processes
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and documentation skills
- Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively
- Familiarity with VxWorks or other real-time operating systems
- Experience with Git version control
- Hands-on experience with navigation sensor hardware, Kalman filtering, LIDAR, real-time software, Monte Carlo analysis, and C/C++ or Python
- Experience contributing to GNC development efforts on spacecraft or satellite programs
- Prior experience working with or supporting satellite systems
What We Do
Intuitive Machines' complete lunar program unlocks the lunar economy to explore the solar system further and gain knowledge for the progress of humanity. As the premier provider of space services and technologies, Intuitive Machines is reestablishing the United States' dominance on the ultimate high ground, the Moon. Designed by the greatest minds in spaceflight, IM's lunar program will send the first American spacecraft to the surface of the Moon since the Apollo program and send the first spacecraft ever to reach the lunar south pole.
