GNC Engineer, Simulation (Swarm/Vehicle)

Today, everything we send to space is constrained by what fits inside a rocket fairing. That's a fundamental bottleneck to building more capable spacecraft. Rendezvous Robotics is solving this problem with electromagnetic self-assembling tiles: modular spacecraft components that rendezvous, dock, and latch to assemble bigger and more powerful spacecraft than anything that can be folded to fit into a rocket.

We're a small team based in Golden, Colorado, executing on a clear path from flight demonstration to our first operational systems. Our work spans hardware, software, and systems engineering. We are looking for the best people in the world who want to build the next generation of advanced spacecraft.

GNC Engineer, Simulation (Swarm/Vehicle)

As a GNC Engineer, Simulation (Swarm/Vehicle), you will be responsible for the complete lifecycle of the hardware-out-of-the-loop (HOOTL) simulator that every GNC claim is verified against. You will design and build the HOOTL framework that runs the actual flight software — partitioned exactly as it runs on the tile's distributed, multi-rate compute — against a high-fidelity physics world, prove it through correlation and verification, and bring it into reality as the gate the entire subsystem depends on. This is an opportunity to apply expertise in dynamics simulation and real-time software to both model the physics of electromagnetic docking and run the Monte Carlo and hardware-in-the-loop campaigns that prove the control and navigation algorithms — working collaboratively across GNC, embedded software, and hardware teams to guarantee that a result in simulation transfers to flight, ultimately defining the verification standard and modeling requirements for future vehicles. You will also extend the framework to the assembled spacecraft — the vehicle-level dynamics, the changing inertia of a reconfiguring structure, and the absolute space environment. This is the same simulation, grown to carry the monolithic vehicle the tiles become once docked and latched.

Responsibilities

• Develop highly reliable, performant simulation infrastructure, physics models, tools, and dashboards in C++ and Python


• Build and own the hardware-out-of-the-loop (HOOTL) framework that runs the actual flight software — partitioned exactly as it runs on the tile's distributed compute — against a high-fidelity physics world


• Implement the physics truth model (numerical integration, electromagnetic forces and torques, contact, and constraints) and the lower-fidelity onboard models, with a verified, force-continuous fidelity switch between them


• Develop models of the tile sensor and actuator suite consistent with the GNC physics models


• Emulate the distributed, multi-rate node graph and its inter-node transports so every discrete element advances on its own clock (no over-accumulation), and guarantee that the same flight C++ object runs identically in simulation and on target


• Build Monte Carlo and scenario campaign tooling — configuration, scheduling, logging — and per-node telemetry and observability (time-series database → data visualization)


• Run the regression and verification campaigns that gate every control and navigation claim, and integrate subsystem models with analysis and embedded-software teams through design and code reviews


• Support flight operations by maintaining sim-to-flight correlation and reproducing on-orbit behavior for anomaly investigation


• Extend the framework to the assembled spacecraft — vehicle-level dynamics, the changing inertia of a reconfiguring structure, and the absolute space environment

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or other relevant engineering discipline


• Software development experience in C++ and Python

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline, computer science, or physics; 2+ years (Engineer) or 5+ years (Senior Engineer)


• Experience developing high-fidelity 6DOF Monte Carlo simulations of aerospace vehicles, including numerical integration (e.g., RK4) and rigid-body contact and constraint dynamics


• Real-time and embedded software development; multi-rate, multi-core systems and deterministic scheduling


• Writing portable C++ that compiles and runs identically on host and on microcontroller targets


• Hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop test rigs, including sensor and actuator emulation


• Data pipelines, time-series databases, and dashboards (e.g., InfluxDB, Grafana); DDS or similar inter-process/inter-node middleware


• Working fluency in GNC and controls concepts — dynamics, estimation, and feedback control — sufficient to model them faithfully


• Proven ability to develop, test, and deploy software for real-world space/robotic applications, with proficiency in version control systems like Git


• Capable of identifying and solving complex problems with little to no supervision or direction in a fast-paced, start-up environment


• Passionate about solving hard problems, building things, and advancing the space industry


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Compensation and Benefits

Associate GNC Engineer: $90,000.00 - $135,000.00
GNC Engineer: $135,000.00 - $165,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. In addition to the base salary, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options. You will receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. 

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

Equal Opportunity

Rendezvous Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Rendezvous Robotics is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.