GNC Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace (Alameda)
Poseidon Aerospace· Alameda·
Role details
Job description
ABOUT POSEIDON AEROSPACE
Poseidon Aerospace is reimagining how the world moves goods. We build and operate full-size autonomous cargo aircraft - capable of carrying two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. From remote communities to contested logistics operations, our platforms unlock a new cost curve for air freight, making it faster, cheaper, and accessible anywhere it's needed. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with locations in Washington DC, Oregon, and Maine; we're building something consequential.
As a GNC Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will develop and implement control systems to ensure accurate and reliable performance of our aircraft. Your work will include vehicle dynamics modeling, flight control system design, and integrating your solutions into flight-ready avionics. We’re looking for someone who brings comprehensive GNC development skills to the team, from modeling to practical implementation.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain our simulation environment for analyzing aircraft attitude, stability, and flight performance.
- Design and implement flight control algorithms directly on hardware, taking ownership of software development for GNC systems.
- Use simulation data to inform and optimize control system design, focusing on flight dynamics and performance.
- Collaborate closely with avionics and software engineers to ensure reliable and efficient control and navigation solutions.
- Analyze flight trajectories, control profiles, and stability characteristics to maximize aircraft performance and safety.
- Contribute to high-level design decisions related to aircraft control systems and flight performance.
- Support prototyping efforts by implementing and testing control algorithms on prototype hardware.
- Tackle complex and novel challenges related to precise and reliable aircraft control, particularly in dynamic and changing environments.
Ideal Qualifications:
- Demonstrated technical ownership of functional vehicle control systems, including design and simulation (e.g., "I developed and tested the GNC for XYZ aircraft").
- Experience creating simulation environments from the ground up, with a clear understanding of best practices.
- Experience implementing flight control and/or navigation algorithms on aircraft or similar high-performance vehicles.
- Familiarity with verification and validation of GNC flight software, including the use of 6-DOF simulations and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop creative solutions for real-world control challenges.
- Fundamentals of C++/python/simulink for implementing control algorithms
WHAT YOU GET FROM US
- Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity
- Relocation support if applicable
- Employee Health Benefit Plans
- 6% Retirement matching
- Flexible PTO
- Free lunches, snacks, and a stocked fridge at our offices
- AI tools and subscriptions
Why work at Poseidon Aerospace
- High-Impact, Early-Stage Environment: The company has grown from 4 to 20 people in a short period, offering the chance to build foundational systems and processes from the ground up.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Work on clean-sheet autonomous aircraft, advanced composites, and manufacturing engineering in a fast-paced, iterative environment.
- Mission-Driven: The work directly impacts national security and global logistics, with a clear, compelling mission to make air cargo as affordable as ground transport.
- Culture & Perks: On-site work in San Francisco, CA. The company emphasizes a "punch above its weight" culture with a focus on engineering excellence and speed. Active hiring for high-impact roles across engineering, operations, and government relations.
- Recent Growth: The team has grown from 4 to 20 people in a short period, offering significant ownership and career growth opportunities for early employees.