Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer Job at Virgin Orbit

Virgin Orbit Long Beach, CA 90808

Location:: Long Beach, CA Bonus:: Yes Job Type:: Full-Time Job Description:

At Virgin Orbit, we are launching the small satellite revolution, enabling missions that were previously unimaginable. We are delivering Virgin’s legendary customer experience by combining advanced technology with a diligent, hard-working team. We have built a workplace and a workforce of the future, knowing that our decisions and investments of today are launching the industries of tomorrow. We have engaged a diverse and inclusive community of doers and dreamers alike, empowering all those working today to build satellites and constellations that will change the world.

At Virgin Orbit, we are opening space for good. Search all of our job openings on our career portal .

Position Summary
Virgin Orbit (VO) is seeking a new member for our team to serve as a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer. If you join us in this position, you will assist in completing the development of guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for LauncherOne, a small-satellite launch vehicle program. This role is for a hands-on person with great attention to detail and excellent people skills.

This is a full-time position at our rocket factory in beautiful Long Beach, California.

Your Part of the Mission
  • Integration, testing, and analysis of the GNC flight software.
  • Development and Validation of a 6 degree of freedom launch vehicle simulation.
  • Defining and verifying system level requirements to drive mission success.
  • Develop and improve existing actuator and sensor model implementation.
  • Generating analysis tools to assess simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and in-flight testing performance.
  • Become responsible for mission specific performance tuning to meet customer requirements.
  • Help Virgin Orbit do our part to make the world a better place.
  • Constantly learn new things—and share them with your team members.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
  • 2+ years of engineering experience.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
  • Knowledge of sensor and actuator analysis, modeling, and test methodology.
  • Familiarity of launch vehicle Guidance laws or similar.
  • Strong understanding of rigid body dynamics.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Matlab, Simulink, and C++.
  • Open minded and willing to think outside of the box to solve challenging problems.
  • Ability and willingness to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment.
  • Self-driven, highly motivated, and committed to improvement, inter-team communication skills, and attention to detail.
  • Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime as well as weekends when needed.
  • Direct experience in development of an orbital vehicle system.
  • Strong understanding of orbital mechanics.
  • Hands on testing of actuators and sensors.
  • Background in some phases of program development, between preliminary design through production.
  • GNC algorithm development on a rocket or missile system.
  • Passion for space exploration and a firm belief in the utility of affordable access to space.
  • Ability to thrive as a ‘one person team.’
  • Ability to add something unique and positive to our team.
  • Generally high level of all-around awesomeness.
Additional Qualifications
  • Must be able to provide proof of US-approved Covid-19 full vaccination status, unless otherwise exempted by an approved reasonable medical or religious accommodation from Virgin Orbit.
  • Must be willing to work varying shifts and additional hours to support critical launch activities.
  • Willingness to travel (~25% of time).
  • Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $115,000 Total Rewards at Virgin Orbit:
At Virgin Orbit, we are STRAIGHT UP, which means we encourage honest and transparent communication. Our goal is to help you interpret the pay range you see and understand that compensation is much more than simply base pay. Individual compensation packages are based on candidate-unique attributes, including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Cash compensation is only part of the total reward package, and the range reflects a strong market-based salary. Some jobs may also be eligible for bonus, overtime pay, weekend work compensation and differentials. In addition to cash compensation, all Virgin Orbit teammates are eligible for equity which includes stock options and/or RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).

At Virgin Orbit, you work alongside some of the best and brightest, on the coolest premier dedicated small satellite launch service. We also know that benefits and belonging are an important piece of your total rewards package. At Virgin Orbit we offer some of the best around:

  • Robust time off with holiday shut down between Christmas and New Year
  • Better than market 401k including a Safe Harbor plan
  • Superior health and welfare benefits offering an average 90% of benefits premiums paid, including some plans with zero employee contributions
  • Financial wellness through Northstar which includes your personal financial advisor
  • Paid parental leave
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • A variety of optional benefits such as pet insurance and discounts, and remote and/or hybrid opportunity for some positions
  • Health Reimbursement program providing up to $3,000 max per year for eligible teammates
  • Employee Resource Groups, Virgin cultural gatherings and success celebrations, professional growth opportunities, and more!
At Virgin Orbit, pay and total rewards is about offering competitive programs for any stage of your life and career. We constantly look for opportunities to enhance our programs and reward our teammates and we update our benefits offerings regularly.
Other Requirements::

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.


Personal Requirements

Our idea of a happy life: build rockets, work with brilliant people, serve purposeful customers, and open access to space. Sir Richard Branson’s belief is “If you get the perfect mix of people working for your company, you have a far greater chance of success.” From the very start, we have placed top priority on growing and fostering a team of creative, diverse, and talented women and men.


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Virgin Orbit is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Orbit 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, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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