Lead development of spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control systems through full lifecycle: requirements, design, simulation, algorithms, flight software, and verification. Develop simulation tools, drive reuse of heritage Airbus products, support subsystem requirements and integration, and optimize designs for cost, manufacturability, and testing. Collaborate cross-functionally across spacecraft, payload, and launch integration activities.
Do you want to help a small company make a BIG difference in space? Do you take ownership of your job and responsibility for your actions? Then come work for Red Canyon and help us continue our mission of helping humankind reach the stars!
Red Canyon Software is looking for an experienced Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer (Contract) to develop solutions for satellite Guidance, Navigation, and Control system. We're looking for candidates who can bring exceptional engineering skills and strong experience in aerospace programs to the team.
Position Responsibilities:
The Senior GNC Engineer's primary responsibility will be contributing to the development of customer U.S.'s satellite GNC systems. This engineer will be involved in the full lifecycle of development, from requirements definition through operations. Being at the cutting edge of space technology, we need someone who is eager to learn, grow, and take on new and potentially unfamiliar challenges. There is no shortage of fascinating problems to solve.
Guidance, Navigation, Control - 50%
- Design and implement GNC designs for new spacecraft designs to accommodate a variety of new mission payloads onto Airbus spacecraft platforms.
- Analyze, design, and/or develop GNC systems to include:
- Sensors and actuators
- Algorithms and flight software
- GNC electronics
- Support the development of subsystem level requirements and requirement flow-down to the various components and parts as necessary - in all phases of the development lifecycle with particular emphasis on Design for Cost/Design for Manufacturability/Design for Test approaches.
- Ensure the maximum reuse of the existing Airbus heritage products and if necessary, identify need for modification.
- Ability to drive multiple design activities (programs or mission) – could lead to spacecraft, payload, satellite bus, and/or launch integration activities.
- Demonstrated ability to participate in cross-functional planning, coordination, and task execution situations involving the full spectrum of engineering and integration activities
Simulation Development - 40%
- Support Airbus spacecraft development product roadmap: includes design adjustments, schedule, and cost targets aligned for future business captures.
- Support the definition of spacecraft customization process for customer mission needs
Additional Responsibilities - 10%
- Perform all the necessary GNC system engineering activities to build, to maintain and to evolve the Airbus spacecraft products.
- Promote and optimize cost savings by reuse of the heritage platform designs and manufacturing infrastructures in the pursuit of various constellation prospects.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.
- Preferred: Masters in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas
Experience:
- 8+ years' (w/ bachelor's degree) / 6+ years' (w/ Master's degree) experience in guidance, navigation and control system analysis, design and verification on spacecraft.
- 5+ years' experience in guidance, navigation and control system analysis, design and verification on spacecraft.
Skills:
- Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and STK.
- Proficiency modeling, simulating, and analyzing the performance of spacecraft GNC sensors, actuators, dynamics and algorithms.
- Familiarity and experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (SysML/UML) and processes that include requirements, architectures, interfaces and trade studies.
- Familiarity with software development, verification, and validation.
- Experience with object-oriented programming (C, C++) and scripting languages (TCL, Python).
- US Citizenship is required
Red Canyon Engineering and Software: “Exploring Other Planets, Improving our Own”
Red Canyon contracts with NASA, NOAA, NREL, JPL, and DOD, in addition to customers such as Lockheed Martin Space, Raytheon, Sierra Space, a.i. solutions, Walt Disney Imagineering, SAIC, Sidus Space, Ball Aerospace, SpaceX, Honeywell, KBRwyle, Peraton, LASP, Maxar, Blue Origin, and Moog. We specialize in building spacecraft, developing renewable energy technologies to help make our planet a better world and cutting edge research and development. Our disciplines include embedded flight software, software testing, GN&C, systems engineering, mechanical design, structural analysis, real time flight and ground software, simulation software, user interface software, and mission management software. We help our contractors with the full life cycle of product development from requirements to test and delivery.
Some of the programs we have previously or currently worked on include: Human Lander System, Artemis I-II, WorldView Legion V, Perseverance Rover, InSight, GeoXO, Tranche-1, LizzieSat, Dream Chaser, Psyche, Mars 98, Odyssey 01, Stardust, Genesis and Deep Impact, Mars Phoenix, Joint Polar Satellite System, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Orion, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, GOES-R, OSIRIS-REx, Maven, JUNO, Grail, and the MarsFlight and LunarSIM Simulation.
Red Canyon’s home office is located in scenic Denver, Colorado, and our regional office, Launch Now, is in historic downtown Titusville, Florida. We are a small company that maintains a flat organization to decrease our overhead and costs to our customers. Our number one focus is to solve some of the most complicated engineering problems humankind is facing.
Does it sound like you want to join our mission?
Red Canyon Engineering & Software Denver, Colorado, USA Office
1200 Pennsylvania St, Suite 100, Denver, CO, United States, 80203
Similar Jobs
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Develop guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for advanced aircraft in a blue-sky defense project. Responsibilities include vehicle dynamics modeling, flight-control design, simulation, real-world control-system tuning and optimization, and applying modern control theory. The role requires strong aircraft dynamics and handling-qualities expertise, production C++ experience, and MATLAB/Simulink proficiency. Candidates must be able to obtain a Secret clearance and collaborate effectively in a fast-moving engineering environment.
Top Skills:
Adaptive ControlC++Continuous Integration And Continuous DeliveryGitKalman FiltersLqr/LqgMatlabModel Predictive ControlRobust ControlSimulinkSystem Identification
Consumer Web • eCommerce • Information Technology • Retail • Software • Analytics • App development
Coordinates installation projects from initial customer and provider contact through scheduling, product delivery, compliance documentation, issue resolution, and post-completion work orders. Communicates with customers, service providers, stores, and vendors through inbound and outbound calls, documents interactions in company systems, ensures SLA adherence, assesses costs and chargebacks, and supports consistent customer service and process improvement in a fast-paced environment.
Top Skills:
Installation Management SystemMyredvestSalesforce
eCommerce • Legal Tech • Professional Services • Software • Data Privacy
Conduct outbound consultation calls with clients about credit card processing, assess merchant needs, recommend cost-effective solutions, and convert leads into merchant account applications. Provide customer service, manage client relationships, communicate by phone and email, follow up on pricing quotes, and support other customer service teams. The role requires learning point-of-sale systems and credit card terminals while using consultative sales, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Top Skills:
Credit Card TerminalsPoint-Of-Sale Systems
What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene
With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.
Key Facts About Colorado Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
- Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute



