Senior GNC Engineer

Who We Are  At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors—regardless of their defense budget—through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost.    About the Role  Firestorm Labs is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer to join our high-performing team. You’ll be responsible for designing, analyzing, and building advanced flight control software for Group 1 - Group 4 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), with a focus on real-time autonomy, multi-sensor integration, and embedded system performance. This role spans the full development lifecycle – from simulation and control algorithm design to software deployment and flight test validation. If you’re excited by the challenge of building next-generation autonomous aircraft in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment, we want to hear from you.   What You’ll Do  

• Design, analyze, and implement flight control and estimation algorithms for autonomous aircraft 
• Develop and maintain the flight software stack, including guidance, navigation, control, and real-time systems integration 
• Develop modeling and simulation capabilities that capture appropriate data during testing so that models can be updated and validated 
• Analyze test data captured from control systems, subsystems, and other test instrumentation to verify vehicle performance, evaluate GNC algorithm and controller behavior, or debug incidents 
• Drive light-weight root cause analyses for vehicle anomalies or incidents that are tied to GNC responsibilities 
• Build and deploy GNC software components for flight testing and production environments 
• Model dynamic systems and perform control system analysis to assess stability, performance, and robustness 
• Implement terminal guidance logic using vision-based or multi-sensor inputs 
• Design ground tests to verify control system behavior and new features 
• Participate in live flight testing to evaluate estimation and control system behavior 
• Support aircraft integration and end-to-end flight testing 
• Collaborate with perception, avionics, and hardware teams to integrate control software with onboard sensors and payload systems 
• Contribute to system safety and fault handling logic 
• Conduct peer reviews and communicate technical insights clearly across disciplines 
• Communicate complex technical concepts to audiences outside your core domain, including cross functional teams. 

  Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Engineering, or similar discipline  
• 5+ years of experience in control systems, dynamics, or robotics; or a Ph.D. in a related field 
• Extensive experience with development of high assurance safety critical GNC software, including cascading controls, adaptive controls, and transfer functions 
• Systems programming skills including algorithms, data structures, concurrency and optimization 
• Proficient in C++, Python, and MATLAB/Octave with strong understanding of real-time and embedded system constraints 
• Deep knowledge of estimation theory and classical/modern control design methods 
• Experience generating embedded software for flight systems and conducting simulation-based validation 
• Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills 
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Person 

 Preferred Qualifications  

• Experience designing and implementing flight control software for Group 1–4 UAS 
• Flight test or RC aircraft experience with a focus on fixed-wing platforms 
• Familiarity with autopilot systems such as PX4 or ArduPlane 
• Background in alternative or GPS-denied navigation systems (e.g., vision or inertial navigation) 
• Hands-on experience tuning estimators and designing test-based control solutions 
• Experience working with multi-sensor fusion for navigation and guidance (IMU, GPS, cameras, LIDAR, etc.) 
• Proficiency in agile development workflows and collaborative software environments 
• Comfortable contributi