GNC Engineer III/IV

Specter Aerospace is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Control engineer to support the design and analysis of high-speed airbreathing testbed vehicles. A successful candidate will have prior experience developing GNC algorithms for high-speed and hypersonic flight systems, developing and analyzing six degree-of-freedom simulations, and supporting the transition from development to flight.

About Specter Aerospace

Specter Aerospace is building the next generation of hypersonic vehicles for U.S. Forces and Allies. Specter is headquartered just north of Boston in Peabody, MA where it leverages its advanced propulsion technologies, manufacturing, and testing capabilities to rapidly develop supersonic and hypersonic systems. Funded by a mix of government R&D organizations and private funding, Specter is expanding its team in preparation for flight testing and full-scale production. 

Role & Responsibilities

• Serve as the responsible engineer for the GNC development of a high-speed vehicle and support other vehicle development programs 

• Tailor existing Specter C++ six degree-of-freedom (6DOF) simulation to specific vehicles and contribute to the maturation of common tools 

• Design and evaluate GNC algorithms for the control of high-speed airbreathing vehicles 

• Perform GNC-related analyses of high-speed airbreathing vehicles to assess flight performance and generate requirements 

• Develop software-/hardware-in-the-loop (SWIL/HWIL) capabilities to aid in design, analysis, and verification of high-speed systems 

• Support trajectory optimization and analysis efforts (3DOF/6DOF) 

• Coordinate with modeling and simulation team to support survivability/employment analyses in a classified setting 

• Other duties as assigned by the company 

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related discipline 

• 3+ years of relevant full-time experience 

• Experience developing modeling and simulation tools, including 6DOF simulations of high speed systems 

• Proficient in C++ and a higher-level language (python, MATLAB, etc.)  

• Strong understanding of GNC fundamentals and applications to high-speed flight 

• Experienced across the Guidance, Navigation, and Control Domains 

• Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required) 

Desired Skills

• Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline 

• 7+ years of relevant full-time experience 

• Experience transitioning guidance algorithms from development to flight 

• Experience in Verification and Validation (V&V) of simulation models 

• Experience leading GNC activities for high-speed flight vehicle design 

• Experience developing weapon systems 

• Experience supporting ground and flight test efforts including SWIL/HWIL activities 

• Active DoD security clearance 

EEO Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.