GNC Sensors Engineer (Aerospace Engineer, Associate)

Where dreams and reality collide and the output is, out of this world. At Redwire Space, we are a team of dreamers and doers. Where the impossible becomes possible, and every day is an opportunity to learn and get one step closer to knowing the unknown. Join us on our mission to humanity’s presence in space.

Our team in Marlborough, MA has been actively accelerating humanity’s expansion into space for multiple decades. During that time, our innovative team has been designing and manufacturing mission-critical, high reliability optical sensors for satellites providing guidance, navigation, situational awareness, and control capabilities. With many more exciting projects on the horizon, our team could use your curiosity, passion, talent and experience to help us Build Above.

Summary

Redwire Defense Technologies has an opportunity for a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Sensors Engineer to join the Optics and Algorithms team at our Marlborough, MA facility. The GNC Sensors Engineer is a multifaceted role in the engineering team working to support design, analysis, and support of GNC subsystems on various space programs including star trackers, sun sensors, and terrain relative navigation. This role includes working at the interface of electronics, software, and optics to develop high performing algorithms that are used satellite and spacecraft navigation. In this role, you will directly interface with customers to present and defend our GNC solutions and their performance in meeting the mission requirements.

Responsibilities

Perform analysis to support early design phase concept development including sensor selection, predicted performance assessment

Work closely with senior subject-matter expert for sun sensors to gain deep technical knowledge and progressively take on ownership of the subsystem.

Perform sensor modeling, characterization, and performance analysis, including noise modeling, error propagation, and environmental sensitivity.

Support sensor selection and trade studies, evaluating performance, cost, SWaP, and integration constraints.

Analyze flight or test data to evaluate system performance, identify anomalies, and recommend improvements.

Work with cross‑functional teams to integrate sensors and algorithms into broader GNC subsystems.

Collaborate with hardware, systems, and software engineers to ensure end‑to‑end system reliability and robust sensor behavior in operational environments.

Document designs, analyses, and test results in clear technical reports, presentations, and customer‑facing materials.

Ideal Experience

Bachelor’s degree in physics, aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, or related field and 0-4 years of experience, or a Master's degree with 0-2 years of experience.

Coursework, internships, or industry experience in Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC), estimation, sensor fusion, or robotics perception

Strong foundation in linear algebra, probability, estimation theory, and dynamic

Hands‑on experience with star trackers, sun sensors, IMUs, cameras, LiDAR, or other navigation‑grade sensors

Experience developing or analyzing Kalman filters, nonlinear estimators, or navigation algorithms

Exposure to simulation environments (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python‑based simulation frameworks, C++ simulation tools)

Desired Skills

Proficiency in Python, C++, or MATLAB for algorithm development and data analysis

Ability to model sensor behavior, including noise characteristics, biases, and error propagation

Understanding of coordinate frames, attitude representations, and reference frames used in aerospace and robotics

Familiarity with electronic circuits (analog and digital)

Strong debugging skills across software, algorithms, and sensor interfaces

Clear technical communication skills for writing reports, documenting algorithms, and explaining results

Curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn new sensing technologies and GNC techniques

Salary Range $85,000/yr - $115,000/yr

Grow with us as we innovate the next generation capabilities for a new era of space exploration! We offer a highly competitive benefits package along with a commitment to our core values of Integrity, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, and Excellence.

All offers of employment at Redwire are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check and your ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the US. Note that some positions will also require US citizenship or ability to obtain a security clearance due to requirements of a classified program.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR Click Here