Senior AOCS Engineer

Isispace group; Delft; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Isispace group in Delft is looking for an AOCS Engineer responsible for designing and implementing AOCS algorithms for satellite missions. You will work hands-on with both flight hardware and software, developing innovative control techniques for CubeSats.

Ideal candidates will have at least 4-5 years of relevant experience and a master's degree in control engineering. Proficiency in MATLAB, C, and Python is required. You'll collaborate with system engineers to ensure optimal AOCS performance.

Qualifications

• MSc or higher in control engineering, electrical/electronics engineering, or equivalent.
• 4-5 years of experience in AOCS or GNC.
• Solid grasp of mathematics and physics, especially orbit dynamics.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, C, C++, or Python.

Responsibilities

• Act as Mission AOCS Engineer throughout mission lifecycle.
• Develop control algorithms and software.
• Develop simulation code for performance analysis.
• Contribute to hardware design on AOCS system level.

Skills

Control engineering

Embedded software engineering

Electronics

MATLAB

C++

Python

Education

Master’s degree in control engineering or related

Job description

As a member of our AOCS team, you will be responsible for the design, implementation and performance verification of AOCS algorithms, sensors and actuators. Your activities will range from being responsible for implementing AOCS hardware and software in a satellite mission as Mission AOCS Engineer, to performing research & development in the scope of the company’s technology roadmap, to liaising with system engineers and contributing to pre-studies for mission proposals and, last but not least, building simulation models and expanding the company’s AOCS simulation framework.

As AOCS engineer you will enjoy a lot of freedom to experiment and develop/adapt innovative control techniques and hardware to CubeSats. The small satellite market is experiencing a trend where higher demands are placed on the accuracy and reliability of AOCS solutions and we see a clear need for pushing the boundaries of what is achievable with CubeSats through adaptation of state‑of‑the‑art technologies. You will take part in realizing that and will be working hands‑on with both flight hardware and software from the start.

We expect you to be ambitious, pro‑active, and to be able to work autonomously, while also being a dedicated team‑member.

Your main responsibilities:

• Act as Mission AOCS Engineer or support that function throughout the entire lifecycle of a mission (from requirements analysis to in‑orbit operations).
• Develop control algorithms and software.
• Develop simulation code and execute simulations for performance analysis & verification.
• Contribute to hardware design on AOCS system- and subsystem level.

You will also be involved in:

• Liaise with ISISPACE’s systems engineering team to coordinate satellite level AOCS performance and in‑planning & supporting satellite test campaigns.
• Liaise with ISISPACE’s embedded software team for implementation of AOCS algorithms.
• Support satellite sales to ensure technical offers sent to customers are sound and comply with ISISPACE’s capabilities and AOCS roadmap.

Qualifications and experience:

• An academic master’s (MSc) degree or higher in control engineering, electrical/electronics engineering, space systems engineering or other appropriate field (the latter to be evaluated per case).
• At least 4‑5 years of experience in the field of AOCS or GNC.
• A solid grasp of mathematics and physics (especially attitude and orbit dynamics).
• Working experience with one or more of the following disciplines: electronics, embedded software engineering, filter & controller design, simulation.
• Affinity with both hardware and software.
• Proficiency in one or more of the following programming and scripting languages: MATLAB, C, C++, Python.
• Good communication skills in English (spoken and written).

Additional considerations (if you do not meet all requirements):

• Experience with designing control systems.
• Experience with designing electronics systems.
• Knowledge of other programming languages.
• Knowledge of propulsion systems, orbit control and related orbital dynamics.
• A degree in Mathematics or Physics.
• A good understanding of modern microprocessors and digital communication buses (I2C, RS485, SpaceWire, CAN).
• Experience with digital systems design.
• Familiarity with ECSS.