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Voyager Technologies is seeking a Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer to serve as the senior technical authority for the Lunar Systems program. This is a high-impact individual contributor role reporting to the Software & Controls Manager, based in Pittsburgh, PA.
You will lead modernization of existing GNC algorithms and analysis to industry standards while driving innovation in guidance, navigation, and control approaches. Key responsibilities include:
• Elevate GNC analysis, modeling, and algorithm fidelity to industry best practices and mission-critical standards
• Advance algorithms by introducing state-of-the-art methods in state estimation, sensor fusion, trajectory generation, optical navigation, and terrain-based navigation
• Modernize and expand high-fidelity simulation environments for algorithm verification, Monte Carlo testing, mission analysis, and performance evaluation
• Develop and validate improved navigation and control strategies for descent, landing, attitude control, and autonomous operations
• Conduct comprehensive trade studies evaluating sensors, estimation approaches, trajectory strategies, and control architectures
• Provide senior technical leadership across Lunar Systems, shaping mission concepts, technology roadmaps, and long-term GNC capability development
• Collaborate with systems engineering, avionics, software, mission analysis, and mechanical teams to ensure seamless integration
• Produce clear, high-quality technical documentation, analysis reports, proposals, and review materials for internal and external stakeholders
• Mentor and guide GNC engineers, raising team-wide standards for analysis quality, algorithm development, modeling practices, and simulation rigor
• Identify GNC-related mission risks and propose mitigation strategies and algorithm improvements
This role is ideal for a seasoned aerospace engineer passionate about lunar exploration and autonomous systems who thrives in mission-driven environments.
REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, or related field plus 15+ years of relevant experience; advanced degrees may substitute for experience
• Extensive experience developing, analyzing, and validating GNC algorithms for spacecraft, planetary landers, launch vehicles, or autonomous systems
• Deep knowledge of non-linear dynamics, state estimation, sensor fusion, modern filtering techniques (EKF, UKF, etc.), guidance algorithms, and control theory
• Proven success modernizing and improving existing GNC algorithms, modeling methods, and analysis frameworks to industry standards
• Demonstrated ability to introduce advanced or state-of-the-art approaches in navigation, estimation, control, or simulation environments
• Strong understanding of lunar and cislunar mission environments and their implications for GNC design and performance
• Experience producing impactful technical content for proposals, customer presentations, and major reviews
• Experience developing, decomposing, and validating mission-level and system-level GNC requirements
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with precision landing methods including terrain-relative navigation, lidar-based sensing, optical navigation, or autonomous hazard evaluation
• Experience transitioning improved or advanced algorithms into embedded or flight software systems
• Knowledge of rover autonomy, surface mobility GNC, or planetary navigation techniques
• Expertise with analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, Simulink, Basilisk, or similar frameworks
• Familiarity with NASA and industry standards for GNC verification and validation
• Experience using agile organizational tools such as Confluence and Jira
• Eligibility to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance
Note: Applicants must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) and eligible to obtain required export authorizations due to ITAR and EAR compliance.
