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92,000+ live jobsGuidance, Navigation & Control Engineer
On-site in Madrid·Added 1 month ago (last checked 30 Oct)
Our summary
- Work mode
- On-site, Madrid
- English
- Required
- Experience
- 10+ years
- Education
- University degree




Visa options
The ad doesn’t mention sponsorship
Not a refusal, but not a yes. Worth asking in your first message.
Skills
Requirements
What we're looking for
- BSc, MSc, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Control Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field
- 10+ years of GNC experience on missiles, interceptors, spacecraft, launch vehicles, or comparable high-performance systems
- Strong expertise in at least two areas across guidance, navigation and estimation, and control, with solid understanding across the complete GNC loop
- Experience developing and implementing flight-proven systems for hypersonic and/or space applications, including qualified hardware and software
- Strong MATLAB, Simulink and/or Python skills
Nice to have
- Nice to have: Experience taking GNC systems through hardware-in-the-loop testing and/or flight testing
The role
Imagine this, you own the guidance, navigation, and control behind an exo-atmospheric interceptor, including the final seconds where precision determines whether the engagement succeeds.
Bliksem Exo is a four-nation European consortium developing an anti-ballistic missile system at operational pace. Destinus is the programme prime and responsible for the exo-atmospheric interceptor, engineered for affordability and production at scale.
In this role, you will own the flight simulation, navigation, guidance, and control algorithms that take the interceptor from flight to terminal engagement. You will work hands-on with the models and analysis, translating performance results directly into vehicle requirements and engineering decisions.
At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.
What you'll do
- Build and own the six-degree-of-freedom flight simulation used as the reference model for vehicle performance and analysis
- Develop navigation and estimation throughout the flight, manage the error budget through handover, and develop terminal guidance for the final engagement
- Own the terminal miss budget, quantifying how sensing noise, timing, disturbances, and other uncertainties affect end-to-end accuracy
- Design and tune control algorithms across the phases of flight, assessing stability and robustness throughout the operating envelope
- Run analysis and simulation campaigns across nominal and stressing conditions, translating findings into vehicle and subsystem requirements
- Work closely with the wider engineering team to integrate GNC performance into the overall interceptor design
Who You Are
- You are comfortable owning complex GNC problems from mathematical models through implementation and validation
- You think in terms of complete system performance rather than isolated algorithms
- You challenge models, assumptions, and results until you understand what drives performance
- You thrive in a small technical team where ownership, speed, and engineering judgement matter
About Destinus
Destinus is a deep-tech aerospace company developing hypersonic flight technologies, including hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft and high-speed propulsion systems. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Payerne, Switzerland, the company operates across Europe with a strong focus on research, engineering, and flight testing, positioning itself as a key player in the future of ultra-fast air travel.
In Spain, Destinus has a significant presence, with offices in Madrid and Barcelona, where it runs engineering, IT, and UAV operations. The company is actively hiring international talent for roles in mechanical design, turbojet engineering, UAV operations, and IT, offering a dynamic, fast-paced environment at the forefront of aerospace innovation. For international professionals, Destinus provides an opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects in a multicultural setting, with Spain serving as a key hub for its European operations.
- Industry
- Aerospace
- Founded
- 2017
- Employees
- 100–500
- Headquarters
- Payerne, Switzerland
- In Spain
- Madrid
Good to know if you are moving
- Destinus is a Swiss company with a significant engineering hub in Madrid, Spain, offering opportunities for aerospace professionals in a growing startup environment.
- The company is developing hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft, a cutting-edge field that offers unique career growth for engineers and technicians.
- Spain offices focus on UAV flight testing, turbojet engineering, and production, providing hands-on roles in aerospace innovation.
- The company operates in a multicultural environment, with English likely being the working language, making it accessible for international hires.
- Destinus is relatively young and fast-growing, which may offer more responsibility and faster career progression compared to established aerospace giants.
Location
Destinus · Madrid
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