Orbital Navigation & GNC Engineer

Orbital Navigation & GNC Engineer

Avio

Colleferro, Italy

Position

We are seeking an Orbital GNC Engineer to join the System Engineering Directorate, within the Flight Mechanics, GNC & Flight Software team. The selected candidate will work on ESA projects related to orbital segments (SpaceRider, IOS, etc.) as well as on a new and innovative project focused on the development of a hybrid navigation platform.

This opportunity is aimed at individuals who wish to contribute to the success of large-scale programs with significant technical complexity — such as launcher development — and to participate in international programs involving multiple industrial and institutional partners (ASI, ESA, etc.).

Within the Orbital Navigation & GNC team, the selected candidate will be involved in the following activities:

• Writing and modifying onboard flight algorithms for orbital platforms and related documentation.
• Performing R&D activities related to control, pointing, and navigation algorithms.
• Developing simulators, including modeling of dynamics, disturbances, and complex (multibody) systems.
• Preparing validation plans for test campaigns, including Hardware-In-The-Loop (HIL).
• Verifying performance in both closed- and open-loop configurations.
• Writing performance reports.
• Coordinating with different Technical Authorities across various disciplines.
• Interfacing with external entities, both institutional (ESA, ASI) and commercial (subcontractors).

Requirements

• Master’s degree in aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering.
• Some experience or academic background in areas related to GNC, flight mechanics, or orbital dynamics — for example, through university projects, theses, or internships.
• Multidisciplinary foundation across key aerospace engineering domains (GNC, orbital flight mechanics, solid and liquid propulsion, structures, thermal).
• Proficiency in standard software tools (MS Office suite), Matlab/Simulink, and programming languages such as C or C++.
• Experience in projects related to satellite systems, orbital platforms, or navigation systems, or a PhD in related topics, will be considered a plus.