Autonomous Spacecraft GNC Engineer

Quantum Space; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

HSA

401(k) matching

Equity participation

Generous leave

Job summary

Quantum Space is seeking a Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to own GNC development across the spacecraft lifecycle. You will design algorithms, perform analyses, and integrate GNC with flight software to enable autonomous navigation and maneuvering across diverse missions.

Ideal candidates have 3–8+ years in GNC, strong dynamics/controls background, and experience with sensor fusion, EKF/UKF, and simulation pipelines.

Qualifications

• 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 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-fidelity spacecraft dynamics and GNC simulation environments for analysis, verification, and mission design.
• Implement and tune control laws for attitude control, momentum management, orbit maneuvering, RPO, and station-keeping.
• Develop state estimation designs and pipelines (EKF/UKF) and sensor fusion.
• Integrate GNC algorithms into flight software with unit tests, SIL/HIL, and full-vehicle simulations.
• Collaborate with avionics and sensor teams to define ICDs, data flows, timing, and budgets.
• Analyze telemetry from on-orbit and testbeds to improve algorithms and configurations.
• Develop tools to enhance autonomous maneuver planning and attitude/orbit estimation accuracy.
• Support safe-mode and fault management logic in partnership with FSW and systems engineering.
• Specify hardware components with systems team and coordinate with vendors for cost/schedule targets.
• Develop and execute GNC hardware acceptance and performance test plans.

Skills

Spacecraft GNC

C++

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

Sensor fusion

Telemetry analysis

State estimation

Education

B.S./M.S. in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Robotics or related

Tools

SIL/HIL testing

Flight software integration

GNC simulation pipelines

MAX FSW

MAX GDS

Job description

Quantum Space is seeking a Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to own GNC development across the spacecraft lifecycle. You will design algorithms, perform analyses, and integrate GNC with flight software to enable autonomous navigation and maneuvering across diverse missions.

Ideal candidates have 3–8+ years in GNC, strong dynamics/controls background, and experience with sensor fusion, EKF/UKF, and simulation pipelines.