GNC Systems Engineer, Amazon Leo For Government
- US citizenship
- TS/SCI clearance
How this pay compares
This posting states $129k–$175k a year. Open GNC engineer jobs in California post a median of $178k a year, the middle half $156k–$199k, across 83 jobs that state their pay, so this one is below the middle half of what they post.
About the job
Amazon Leo is establishing a constellation of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), supported by an expansive ground infrastructure, to deliver global broadband connectivity. Its mission is to bring fast, affordable internet to unserved and underserved communities around the world - helping close the digital divide for customers who lack reliable connectivity.
As a member of the Amazon Leo for Government (ALG) Engineering organization, the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer is responsible for the full systems engineering lifecycle of space-based and terrestrial GNC subsystems across ALG products serving government, enterprise, and international customers.
This spans requirements definition, architecture and interface development, modeling, simulation, analysis, detailed design, implementation, testing, and system verification. Security Clearance : This position requires that the candidate selected be a US Citizen and candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance of TS/SCI.
Key job responsibilities - Define requirements and verification plans for GNC subsystems across space and terrestrial applications - Develop and document GNC subsystem architectures and interfaces with other subsystems - Design and implement production-quality GNC architectures and algorithms - Perform modeling, simulation, and analysis of GNC subsystem functionality and performance - Participate in code reviews, debugging, and refactoring of both simulation and flight software with an emphasis on continuous improvement - ensuring code is well-organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable across similar applications - Collaborate with mechanical designers to develop and test hardware - Write test plans, procedures and scripts and own verification campaigns for the GNC subsystem - Analyze data generated from test campaigns and on-orbit mission operations, and communicate findings and issues effectively to developers and managers ## About the team Within Amazon Leo, Amazon Leo for Government (ALG) Engineering is a multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to addressing the needs of targeted government, enterprise, and international customers for both space-based and terrestrial applications.
The Systems Engineering, Integration, Test, and Manufacturing (SEIT|MFG) organization under ALG Engineering plays a vital role across the entire lifecycle of engineering solution development, from requirements definition, architecture and interface development, detailed design through implementation, integration and test, system verification, and manufacturing. ## Basic qualifications - Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline - 3+ years of industry experience in Guidance, Navigation, and Control Systems - Fundamental understanding of dynamics, control theory, state estimation, and numerical methods - Practical experience with optimization and statistical analysis methods, including Monte Carlo simulations - Fundamental understanding of attitude determination and control systems - Fundamental understanding of astrodynamics, including orbit determination and propulsive maneuver planning - Software development experience in C/C++, Rust, Python, or MATLAB with a firm grasp of industry-standard coding practices - Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing - Practical experience with the full systems engineering lifecycle - Active or ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance ## Preferred qualifications - Experience with Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) or Radio Frequency (RF) payloads, including pointing and link budgets - Experience with performing formal Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) methods - Experience with designing and implementing onboard Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) mechanisms Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies.
Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position.
These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation.
Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers.
If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner. The base salary range for this position is listed below.
Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location.
Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits .
USA, CA, El Segundo - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually USA, CA, NORTHRIDGE - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
From Amazon Leo's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About Amazon Leo
Amazon's satellite internet constellation, formerly Project Kuiper: satellites, launches, ground stations and the terminals customers use.
Pay on its listings: 93.1% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on Amazon's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
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