Your space-enabled career begins here

The Mission

Space is the bleeding edge for humanity's next industrial revolution. While reusable rockets have opened the door, true economic transformation requires infrastructure that makes orbit as accessible and reliable as air travel. At Lux Aeterna, we're building that future by developing the first reusable satellite platform with return capability - transforming space from a one-way street into a two-way highway for innovation and commerce.

The Opportunity

We're seeking an exceptional GNC Engineer to architect and lead the design, implementation, and validation of spacecraft flight algorithms, from position estimation to attitude control. You’ll work across simulation, embedded systems, and real-time operations to help solve complex challenges that have profound implications for the future of commercial spaceflight. This is a unique opportunity to:

• Design and implement advanced GNC algorithms for position, velocity, and attitude estimation
• Architect the mission planning and CONOPs for orbital and earth reentry operations
• Work directly with technical leadership to shape the future of space transportation
• Join a rapidly growing team with the resources to tackle ambitious technical challenges

Why Lux Aeterna?

• Pioneering Technology: We're developing the first reusable satellite platform with controlled return capability, fundamentally transforming space from a one-way journey to a two-way trade route
• Real Impact: Your work will enable new industries in space manufacturing, research, and logistics while pioneering sustainable space infrastructure
• Speed & Autonomy: We maintain parallel hardware development streams and empower engineers to innovate rapidly while upholding rigorous aerospace standards
• World-Class Team: Work alongside experts from leading aerospace companies and research institutions, building technology that will reshape humanity's access to space

The Role

You'll own the GNC for our reusable satellite platform.

• Lead simulation development, including high-fidelity 6-DOF dynamics and Monte Carlo environments
• Own Fault Detection & Incident Response (FDIR) architecture and guide subsystem RE’s in authoring thier own FDIR algorithms to autonomously handle anomalies
• Develop real-time estimation techniques such as sensor fusion and extended Kalman filtering
• Build, test, and deploy flight control software for trajectory and pointing operations
• Support GNC system design, including component selection, architecture, and trade studies
• Integrate hardware and software in hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) environments
• Lead flight planning, concept of operations, and mission execution strategies
• Assist in hands-on testing, subassembly integration, and flight validation of spacecraft
• Collaborate cross-functionally with software, avionics, propulsion, and mechanical teams

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Control Systems, Physics, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of experience in GNC for spacecraft or advanced robotics applications
• Proficiency with estimation algorithms including Kalman filters and batch processing techniques
• Experience designing and validating control and guidance algorithms for space systems
• Strong background in simulation environments, including 6-DOF modeling
• Programming proficiency in Python (NumPy, SciPy), Rust, C++, and version control (Git)
• Passion for hands-on engineering and rapid hardware/software integration

Desired Experience

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Control Systems, Physics, or a related technical field
• Knowledge of orbit determination and trajectory optimization methods
• Familiarity with spacecraft propulsion systems and orbital mechanics for LEO missions
• Experience with robotic manipulators or autonomous vehicle navigation
• Experience with embedded systems and implementing flight software on real-time hardware
• Prior work with HITL testing environments
• Exposure to geostationary operations or dual-use commercial/government satellite programs

We are based in Denver, CO and believe in the power of in-person collaboration. We are onsite 5 days/week by default, but flexible when life requires it.