Head of Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Job description

Company Overview Fortastra designs and delivers resilient, high-performance spacecraft that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale. Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution. We expect leaders to think systemically, act decisively, and take ownership of mission outcomes. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars. We recently closed a $30M Series A to build the future of on-orbit security and we’re just getting started! Our Engineering Team You will lead Fortastra’s Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) function within the Engineering Division, owning the architecture, performance, and delivery of flight-critical control systems across our autonomous spacecraft portfolio. The Role Fortastra is seeking a Head of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) to define and lead the development of flight-critical algorithms enabling autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations (RPO), and precision maneuvering in contested environments. This is a technical leadership role, not a pure management position. You will set the technical direction for GN&C across the company, own system-level performance, and build and lead a team capable of delivering mission-critical autonomy from concept through flight. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in control theory, estimation, and orbital mechanics, combined with a track record of delivering flight-proven systems and leading high-performing engineering teams. Key Responsibilities Own the end-to-end GN&C architecture across all spacecraft programs, ensuring performance, robustness, and mission alignment Define and drive technical strategy and roadmap for autonomy-enabled control systems in dynamic and contested environments Lead the design, implementation, and validation of GNC algorithms for RPO, formation flying, and precision maneuvering Oversee development of ADCS, orbit determination, and state estimation systems with flight-level reliability Establish and enforce engineering standards, modeling practices, and verification methodologies across the GN&C domain Drive integration of GN&C with flight software, autonomy, avionics, and mission systems Own simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and performance validation under uncertainty, off-nominal conditions, and failure scenarios Lead hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and flight test campaigns, ensuring readiness for operational deployment Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-caliber GN&C team, setting a high bar for technical excellence and accountability Act as the technical authority for GN&C, supporting executive decisions, customer engagements, and program reviews Qualifications and Skills B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field 10+ years of experience in spacecraft, launch vehicle, or autonomous system GN&C Demonstrated ownership of flight-critical GN&C systems from concept through on-orbit operations Deep expertise in control systems, nonlinear dynamics, and state estimation (e.g., Kalman filtering) Strong experience with relative motion, orbital mechanics, and RPO or formation flying missions Proven ability to lead technical teams and deliver complex systems under schedule and performance constraints Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++ Experience integrating algorithms into embedded flight software and HIL environments Strong systems engineering mindset with the ability to operate across disciplines Requirements 5 days on-site in Torrance, CA U.S. Citizenship required and the ability to obtain or hold an active Top Secret clearance Why Fortastra We are a small, high-impact team building the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. At Fortastra, leaders own outcomes from first principles through flight and directly shape the future of resilient, mission-critical spacecraft autonomy. FORTASTRA TALENT & CULTURE PRINCIPLES Values Driven by First Principles We value engineers and operators who prioritize sound judgment, candor, technical rigor, bias for action, and intellectual honesty over corporate consensus. We care about the caliber of the system you build and the speed at which you solve problems. Talent Density Over Headcount A high-performing startup is built on dense talent, not organizational bloat. A single exceptional engineer designs, tests, and delivers faster than a bloated committee. We intentionally maintain a lean, elite engineering crew where every contributor directly moves the needle on the mission. High Autonomy, High Ownership We hire domain experts to execute, not to micromanage them. You own your systems end-to-end, from initial architecture and hardware design to testing and deployment. With absolute ownership comes the responsibility to deliver mission critical reliability. Mission Context Over Bureaucracy The best execution happens when teams are provided clear technical objectives, constraints, and operational context, rather than rigid top-down policies. We strip away red tape so builders can iterate, make decisions, and push hardware and flight software forward rapidly. Disciplined Speed & Flight Rigor We move fast because we test often and kill artificial bottlenecks, not because we cut corners. Rapid iteration on the test stand and in simulation is how we learn; an uncompromising flight-readiness bar is how we earn trust. Precision without friction, speed without recklessness. Direct Impact, Not Career Bureaucracy You don’t come to Fortastra to climb a corporate ladder or manage slide decks; you come to build complex, flight-ready systems from day one. Growth here is organic, driven by the magnitude of technical challenges you solve and the trust you build across the team. Benefits We take care of our employees so they can focus on what matters most: family, well-being, and life outside of work. Unlimited Paid Time Off so that you have the time you need to rest and recharge. Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, because peace of mind starts with feeling cared for. Equity: Share in Fortastra's success with equity in the company you're helping build. 401(k): A 401(k) plan to help you invest in your future and plan for what's ahead. Social Events: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities that make this a place people are glad to be part of. The pay range for this role is $300,000.00 - $345,000.00. Where an offer falls within that range depends on factors like your qualifications, experience, location, and interview performance, which we weigh against the market rate for the position. Recruiters & Agencies: Fortastra does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from recruiters, agencies, or third parties. Any candidate submitted without a signed agreement and prior written authorization from Fortastra will not be subject to any fee, and no relationship is implied. Please do not contact Fortastra employees, hiring managers, or recruiting team directly.