Destinus

European defense firm manufacturing missiles

Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer

Flight Dynamics & GNCConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeZürich, SwitzerlandNo salary listedHybrid

About the Job

Requirements

A Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Automation and Control Engineering, or a related field is required.
Three to five years of experience as a Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer on flying systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles, rockets, or missiles is required.
Proven experience developing Guidance, Navigation and Control algorithms is required.
Coding experience is required; Python, Rust, or C/C++ experience is preferred.
Experience with software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop simulations and verification processes is required.
Strong technical writing skills and experience producing advanced engineering documentation are required.
Fluency in English is required.
The candidate must be able to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex technical topics clearly.
The candidate should demonstrate a proactive attitude, problem-solving ability, and willingness to take ownership of Guidance, Navigation and Control tasks and development.

Responsibilities

Drive development of Guidance, Navigation and Control algorithms, including guidance laws, navigation filters, and control architectures, with a high level of autonomy.
Develop, maintain, and extend Guidance, Navigation and Control software solutions for safety-critical applications, from early prototyping through flight-ready implementation.
Implement and refine Guidance, Navigation and Control models and algorithms, including inertial navigation, target tracking, autopilot control loops, seeker processing, and environmental compensation.
Build and integrate simulation and test utilities to support software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop test configurations, enabling validation of Guidance, Navigation and Control functionality across integration levels.
Define, decompose, and manage Guidance, Navigation and Control-specific system and software requirements, ensuring traceability from concept through verification.
Generate structured technical documentation covering algorithm design, modelling assumptions, validation results, and verification evidence.
Work cross-functionally with Systems Engineering, Simulation and Modelling, Flight Dynamics, Software, and Hardware teams to ensure algorithm performance and alignment with overall system needs.
Participate in design and technical reviews, presenting Guidance, Navigation and Control methodologies, performance outcomes, and known limitations.
Support Simulation and Modelling and Software teams by providing algorithm specifications, interface definitions, and Guidance, Navigation and Control validation scenarios.
Contribute to improvement of internal Guidance, Navigation and Control capabilities, tool chains, and algorithm development workflows.

Desired Qualifications

Python, Rust, or C/C++ coding experience is preferred.

GNC Engineer

Destinus · Zürich, Switzerland (Hybrid) · Full-time · Posted 2026-10-08

Workplace: hybrid

Department: R&D & Engineering

Description

About the role

Imagine designing the intelligence that guides a system through extreme conditions with precision and reliability. As a Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer at Destinus, you will build and refine the algorithms that make autonomous flight systems think, adapt, and perform in real time. From shaping guidance laws to developing navigation filters and control architectures, your work directly impacts how advanced aerospace systems behave in mission critical scenarios.

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

Drive the development of GNC algorithms, including guidance laws, navigation filters, and control architectures with a high level of autonomy.
Develop, maintain, and extend GNC software solutions for safety-critical applications, from early prototyping through to flight-ready implementation.
Implement and refine GNC models and algorithms, including inertial navigation, target tracking, autopilot control loops, seeker processing, and environmental compensation.
Build and integrate simulation and test utilities to support SIL and HIL test configurations, enabling rigorous validation of GNC functionality across integration levels.
Define, decompose, and manage GNC-specific system and software requirements, ensuring full traceability from concept through verification.
Generate clear, structured, and technically rigorous documentation, covering algorithm design, modelling assumptions, validation results, and verification evidence.
Work cross-functionally with Systems Engineering, Simulation & Modelling, Flight Dynamics, Software, and Hardware teams to ensure GNC algorithm performance and alignment with overall system needs.
Participate in design and technical reviews, presenting GNC methodologies, performance outcomes, and known limitations.
Support Simulation-Modelling and Software teams by providing algorithm specifications, interface definitions, and GNC validation scenarios.
Actively contribute to continuous improvement of internal GNC capabilities, tool chains, and algorithm development workflows.

Requirements

What You’ll Need

MSc in Aerospace Engineering, Automation & Control Engineering, or a related field.
3-5 years of experience as GNC Engineer on flying systems (UAVs, rockets, missiles).
Proven experience with GNC algorithm development.
Proven coding experience, preferred: Python, Rust or C/C++.
Experience with SIL and HIL simulations and verification processes.
Strong technical writing skills and experience producing advanced engineering documentation.
Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex technical topics clearly.
Proactive attitude, good problem-solving skills, and willingness to take ownership of GNC tasks and development.
Fluency in English is a must.

Who You Are

You thrive in environments where precision meets speed and complexity is part of the daily game. You enjoy turning mathematical models into real-world performance and you are not afraid to dive deep into both theory and code to make things work under pressure. You think analytically but act pragmatically, balancing innovation with reliability when it matters most. You take ownership of your work, pushing solutions until they are not just functional but robust and ready for real-world deployment.

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About the Company

Destinus

European defense firm manufacturing missiles

Destinus designs and manufactures defense systems for European and allied armed forces, focusing on scalable missiles, air defense, and interception. Key products include the Ruta cruise missile and the HORNET interceptor, which can perform precision strikes and operate in GPS-denied environments with AI-assisted guidance. It serves as a prime contractor under fixed-price contracts, and collaborates on naval applications (containerized HORNET) with Rheinmetall while leading the Bliksem EXO program for Europe’s sovereign exo-atmospheric missile defense. The company aims to scale production to deliver near-term military capability for European governments and to build sovereign defense capabilities through integrated, multi-domain, cost-effective technologies.

Company size: 501-1,000
Company stage: N/A
Total funding: $267.4M
Headquarters: Valkenburg, Netherlands
Founded: 2021

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