Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer Verified today

About the Role

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

You will develop the algorithms, analyses, and flight capabilities that enable our spacecraft to navigate, maneuver, and operate autonomously across a diverse range of space missions. You will own GNC subsystem development throughout the spacecraft lifecycle, including mission analysis, modeling and simulation, guidance, navigation, and control algorithm development, flight software integration, hardware integration and test, verification and validation, and on-orbit mission support.

Where You'll Make an Impact

• Develop high-fidelity spacecraft dynamics and GNC simulation environments to support analysis, verification, and mission design.
• Implement and tune control laws for attitude control, momentum management, orbit maneuvering, RPO, and station-keeping.
• Perform state estimation design and analysis (EKF/UKF, sensor fusion, GPS/IMU, star tracker and sun sensor pipelines).
• Support integration of GNC algorithms into flight software, including validation through unit test, SIL/HIL, and full-vehicle simulation.
• Collaborate with avionics and sensor teams to define GNC-related ICDs, data flows, timing, and performance budgets.
• Analyze both on-orbit and testbed telemetry to evaluate GNC performance and inform updates to algorithms and configuration.
• Develop tools that improve autonomous maneuver planning, control margin analysis, and attitude/orbit estimation accuracy.
• Support safe-mode and fault management logic development in partnership with FSW and systems engineering.
• Work with the systems team to specify hardware components based on system requirements, and coordinate with vendors to acquire hardware that meet program cost and schedule targets.
• Develop and execute GNC hardware acceptance and performance test plans and procedures.
• Participate in MCR/PDR/CDR, test readiness reviews, and support operations during early-orbit commissioning when needed.
• Contribute to rapid iteration cycles that refine autonomy and maneuverability across successive spacecraft builds.

What It Takes

• B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
• 3-8+ years of experience in spacecraft or high-reliability GNC development.
• Strong foundation in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, and classical/modern control theory.
• Experience implementing estimation and control algorithms in C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Experience with sensor fusion for spacecraft-relevant sensors (IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, GNSS, ranging sensors).
• Familiarity with flight software integration, SIL/HIL testing, and simulation pipelines.
• Ability to analyze telemetry, validate performance, and debug GNC-related anomalies.
• Systems-level thinking and cross-functional collaboration skills.