Sr. Engineer, GNC
How this pay compares
This posting states $143k–$218k 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 within the middle half of what they post.
About the job
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated Senior Engineering for the Flight Controls Guidance Navigation and Control team.
Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions.The focus of the role is developing the analysis and software to deliver good handling qualities throughout the unique mission profile of Spaceship. In this role, you will collaborate with Pilots, System Analysis, Flight Test, Avionics, Mechanical Systems, and Systems Engineering.
The responsibilities will span the entire lifecycle, from conceptual design to flight test and commercial operations. </span>Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.</p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Responsibilities</strong></span></p><ul><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Participate in test planning, sim evaluation, and analysis of handling qualities for Spaceship.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Design stability augmentation control systems for Spaceship and next generation Launch Vehicle primary flight controls.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Support flight test of Spaceship in the mission control center and analyze flight data.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Review peer’s work for quality control, ensuring “bugs” are caught early.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Perform system identification of aircraft systems to drive simulator accuracy.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Develop flight control software requirements, Simulink implementation, and tests.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Diagnose and resolve simulation issues across all disciplines.
May involve aerodynamics, mass properties, flight controls, interfaces, etc.</span></li><li>Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day.</li><li>Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks</li><li>Adhere to set directions and guidelines from team leader to support collaboration across teams to complete projects.</li></ul><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Required Skills and Experience</strong></span></p><ul><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">8+ years of experience and B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering discipline from an accredited university.
M.S. degree preferred.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">5 + years of experience with aerospace vehicle control systems and simulation.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience with modelling actuators, controllers, electrical systems, 6DOF, etc.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong understanding of flight control systems and fixed-wing aircraft dynamics</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience with MATLAB and Simulink in a collaborative environment, specifically Model Based Design of Safety Critical Code.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowledge of classical control theory and modern control theory. </span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellent diagnostic skills</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Familiar with embedded C programming and git version control.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Familiar with relevant MIL-SPECS, such as MIL-STD-1797B and SAE AS-94900, etc.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Flight test or pilot experience beneficial.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellent written and verbal communication skills.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas</li></ul><p style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">#LI-MS1</p><p style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $143,031.00–$218,132.00.
The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, and experience and take into account internal equity. Other forms of pay (e.g., bonus or long term incentive) may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered.
For more information regarding Virgin Galactic benefits, please visit <a title="https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits" href="https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvgcareers.virgingalactic.com%2Fglobal%2Fen%2Fbenefits&data=05%7C02%7CBrooke.Peters%40virgingalactic.com%7C4dc2282061c84221258f08df1da915da%7Ca9008a03b053484687d345880ffa31a1%7C0%7C0%7C639262284319455912%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iptBJFQmOtp%2FaJ4IRh7FIC7ekBYRlM8PGdbNwimSHlE%3D&reserved=0">https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Who We Are</span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles.
We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles. </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sa
From Virgin Galactic's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
Selected agencies hiring now
Contract Professionals Inc (CPI)Engineering and technical staffing agency
Aerospace and defense staffing firm in Waterford, Michigan, placing engineers, maintenance technicians, mechanics, welders and CNC machinists.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
Moseley Technical ServicesEngineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm in Huntsville, Alabama, placing engineers and A&P, sheet metal, CNC and quality technicians.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.
Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.
Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.
New flight software and GNC jobs in California, by email
One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.
About Virgin Galactic
Winged spaceships that carry people to the edge of space.
Pay on its listings: 100% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on Virgin Galactic's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
More open jobs at Virgin Galactic
- IT Developer III, Supply Chain & Finance$135,385–$202,400/yr
- Associate Engineer, Propulsion Operations$88,279–$127,942/yr
- Business Systems Analyst III - Spaceline Product Development & Production$112,157–$162,662/yr
- Clinical Operations Manager$81,650–$124,600/yr
- Director, Employee Relations$126,900–$203,075/yr
- Engineer II, Propulsion Operations$118,031–$180,069/yr
More flight software and GNC jobs
- Software Development Engineer, Amazon Leo, Embedded Platform$165,200–$223,600/yr
- Design Authority Solution Logiciel (Logiciel embarqué / Bancs de test / Simulateurs) - F/H
- Senior Embedded Software Engineer$140,500–$221,500/yr
- Senior Software Engineer (Lead) - Terminal Software$168,000–$265,000/yr
- Embedded Flight Software Engineer 2
- GNC Engineer (Dragon)$125,000–$195,000/yr
Written flight software or GNC?
One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
Virgin Galactic openings, sent to you weekly
Each week we send the newest postings from Virgin Galactic's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.