GNC Engineer, Attitude Control Systems

Xona; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona is looking for a GNC Engineer, Attitude Control Systems in Burlingame, California. In this hands-on role, you will design and test control algorithms for spacecraft, focusing on precise pointing and maneuvering. Required qualifications include experience with 6DOF dynamics simulations and control design, strong programming skills in Python, C++, and MATLAB, and a degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field. Successful candidates must meet specific U.S. Government export regulations. Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with PID, LQR, or optimal control design.
• Experience with actuator allocation, momentum management, or desaturation logic.
• Experience developing unit or regression tests.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain 6DOF attitude simulations for ACS design.
• Implement momentum management and desaturation algorithms.
• Run SIL/HIL test campaigns and analyze performance.

Skills

6DOF attitude dynamics simulations

PID control design

LQR control design

momentum management

model-based software development

SIL/HIL simulation

programming in Python

programming in C++

programming in MATLAB

Git proficiency

Linux environments

Education

BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering

BS or MS in Control Systems

BS or MS in Applied Physics

Job description

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

We’re looking for a GNC Engineer, Attitude Control Systems to join our Guidance, Navigation, and Control team and help develop the attitude control systems that enable precise spacecraft pointing, maneuvering, and momentum management. In this role, you will design, simulate, implement, and test control algorithms that operate across real mission conditions, from high-fidelity simulation through software- and hardware-in-the-loop validation.

This is a hands‑on engineering role for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of control theory, spacecraft dynamics, flight software, and rigorous test infrastructure.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and maintain 6DOF attitude simulations for ACS design and verification.
• Design, tune, and validate PID, LQR, and optimal control algorithms.
• Develop actuator allocation logic for reaction wheels, torque rods, thrusters, or other effectors.
• Implement momentum management and desaturation algorithms.
• Support model-based development, integration, and test workflows.
• Run SIL/HIL test campaigns and analyze performance across nominal and off-nominal cases.
• Develop unit, regression, and simulation-based tests.

Required Qualifications

• Experience with 6DOF attitude dynamics simulations.
• Hands‑on experience with PID, LQR, or optimal control design.
• Experience with actuator allocation, momentum management, or desaturation logic.
• Experience with model‑based software development processes.
• Experience with SIL/HIL simulation and test environments.
• Experience developing unit or regression tests.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, and MATLAB.
• Proficiency with Git and Linux environments.

Desired Qualifications

• BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, Applied Physics, or a related technical field.
• Experience developing ACS algorithms for spacecraft, satellites, UAVs, or autonomous systems.
• Familiarity with reaction wheels, magnetic torque rods, thrusters, star trackers, IMUs, magnetometers, or sun sensors.
• Experience with flight software integration, embedded deployment, or real-time systems.
• Experience with Monte Carlo analysis, robustness testing, or fault‑case validation.
• Familiarity with autocoding workflows from MATLAB/Simulink or similar tools.

For U.S. Roles

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles

To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles

Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.