GNC Software Engineer (Mid-Level to Senior)
Astro Mechanica
San Francisco, CA · Posted November 7, 2026
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Where San Francisco, CA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for security jobs316 openings · of 20
- #1Best cities for technology jobs7,178 openings · of 100
- #1Best cities for financial services pay after cost of living$173k · of 33
- #1Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills35% · of 100
- #1Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the West Coast35% · of 54
- #1Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the West Coast902 jobs · of 47
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among aerospace engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for aerospace engineers: 8% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
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About the job
ABOUT US:
Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures.
WHO WE ARE:
We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.
WHO YOU ARE:
You're a GNC software engineer who wants real ownership over the guidance and control systems of a clean-sheet autonomous aircraft. You work from first principles, you write the simulation and flight code yourself, and you work closely with hardware and software teams to get the aircraft flying. You care deeply about how systems behave in the real world—not just in simulation—and you’re motivated by building control architectures that are robust, testable, and ready for flight.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
Develop and implement guidance, navigation, and control systems for our products
Engage in multi-disciplinary aircraft trades and help define the overall system architecture
Build and maintain 6-DOF dynamics and simulation models used for control design, analysis, and validation
Develop tooling to automate control design, monte carlos, and simulation validation
Work closely with peers across engineering disciplines to define the control schemes and mechanisms for our products
Support flight and ground test operations
Conduct post flight/test reviews and correlate performance with analysis for continuous improvement on predictions
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, software engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, or related discipline
Professional experience in GNC development for an aerospace or autonomous vehicle program
Strong background in flight dynamics, modeling, and simulation
Proficiency in Rust, C++, or a comparable systems language, plus Python for analysis and tooling
Experience with software development best practices such as version control, code review, testing, and CI
Ambition to work in a fast-paced environment
PERKS & BENEFITS:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
401(k) program and transparent stock option plan
Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.
Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.