GNC / Controls Software Engineer – Hypersonic Vehicles at Aurex in Huntsville, AL

Job description

• We are looking for a Senior GNC / Controls Software Engineer with extensive experience in developing guidance, navigation, and control algorithms and real-time flight software for high-speed aerospace vehicles. The ideal candidate will design, implement, and validate GNC software and control systems for hypersonic applications, ensuring performance, stability, and reliability under extreme flight conditions. Proficiency in simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink and real-time software development in C/C++ is required, with a primary focus on closed-loop GNC performance, robustness analysis, and flight software integration.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement guidance laws, navigation filters, and flight control algorithms for hypersonic vehicles.
• Develop and optimize real-time embedded flight control software in C/C++ (or equivalent) for safety-critical systems.
• Create and maintain high-fidelity 6-DOF vehicle dynamics models and closed-loop simulations in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Perform linear and nonlinear stability analysis, robustness assessments, and Monte Carlo dispersion studies across the hypersonic flight envelope.
• Conduct software-in-the-loop (SIL), processor-in-the-loop (PIL), and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to verify GNC performance.
• Integrate and tune multi-sensor navigation solutions (INS/GPS and additional aiding sensors) for accurate state estimation.
• Optimize control system performance for stability, tracking accuracy, and disturbance rejection under thermal, structural, and atmospheric uncertainties.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and systems engineers, to ensure seamless GNC integration.
• Support flight test planning, data analysis, and post-flight reconstruction, iterating designs based on test results.

Requirements

• Active DoD Secret Clearance
• Work in person at our corporate headquarters in Huntsville, AL.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with relevant industry experience
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a relevant field with experience applying knowledge to real-world systems
• 3–7 years of industry experience in GNC algorithm development and/or flight controls software for aerospace vehicles.
• Experience developing real-time embedded software for flight or safety-critical systems.
• Advanced proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink for modeling, control design, and simulation.
• Strong knowledge of classical and modern control theory, estimation techniques (e.g., Kalman filtering), and trajectory optimization.
• Understanding of hypersonic vehicle dynamics, aero-thermodynamics, and associated modeling challenges.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to interpret complex simulation and flight test results.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary aerospace teams.
• Direct experience with hypersonic, high-Mach, or reentry vehicle GNC systems.
• Familiarity with adaptive, robust, or model-predictive control techniques.
• Experience with DO-178C or equivalent software certification processes.
• Knowledge of multi-sensor fusion and advanced navigation architectures.
• Experience supporting flight test campaigns or hardware-in-the-loop facilities.
• Background in autonomous guidance or terminal guidance algorithms.

Skills

Required

• Active DoD Secret Clearance
• C/C++
• MATLAB/Simulink
• Classical and modern control theory
• Trajectory optimization
• Hypersonic vehicle dynamics
• Aero-thermodynamics
• Real-time embedded software development
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Teamwork

Preferred

• Multi-sensor fusion
• Advanced navigation architectures
• Flight test campaigns
• Hardware-in-the-loop facilities
• Autonomous guidance
• Terminal guidance algorithms

Benefits

• The salary range for this role is $140,000 - $160,000.00 per year. We offer a comprehensive total rewards approach to compensation, providing incentives and benefits that extend far beyond the base salary. Compensation is determined by the candidate’s work experience, education, training, and relevant skills. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' health, well-being, and professional growth.
• Location: Huntsville, AL