GNC Test & Integration Engineer — Spacecraft Autonomy

Quantum Space, LLC; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

HSA

401(k) matching

Generous leave

Job summary

Quantum Space, LLC in Rockville, MD is seeking a Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer to lead integration, verification, validation, and hardware testing of the GNC subsystem from development through flight delivery.

You will own hardware integration, anomaly resolution, and subsystem verification, collaborating with systems, flight software, avionics, propulsion, and mission operations teams in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

Qualifications

• 3–8+ years in spacecraft or high-reliability GNC development.
• Strong foundation in rigid-body dynamics, and classical/modern control theory.
• Experience with sensor fusion for spacecraft-relevant sensors (IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, GNSS).
• Experience developing, documenting, executing, and following formal test procedures and verification plans
• Hands-on experience testing attitude control system hardware and ability to troubleshoot issues encountered during integration and test activities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret technical data and recommend corrective actions
• Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary engineering teams, with strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate technical issues and risks.
• Proficiency with engineering analysis and simulation tools such as C++, MATLAB/Simulink, Python.
• Experience conducting Monte Carlo analyses to verify spacecraft operating modes, mission performance, and system robustness under varying conditions and uncertainties.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, hardware-integrated environment with shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

• Own integration, verification, validation, and flight acceptance of the GNC subsystem from engineering development through spacecraft delivery.
• Develop, document, execute, and automate GNC verification procedures supporting testing stages.
• Plan and execute hardware characterization and calibration activities, including inertial sensor characterization and timing synchronization.
• Develop and operate HITL, SIL, FlatSat, and closed-loop simulation environments to verify flight software and spacecraft behavior.
• Integrate and validate spacecraft sensors, actuators, avionics, propulsion, and flight software while troubleshooting hardware, software, and system-level anomalies.
• Correlate high-fidelity simulation results with hardware test data to validate GNC algorithms and control systems.
• Perform Monte Carlo analyses and mission-level performance assessments for robust operating modes.
• Analyze telemetry and test data to identify root cause and improve GNC performance.
• Develop verification evidence and participate in technical reviews.

Skills

GNC development

Sensor fusion

C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Monte Carlo analysis

Strong communication

Education

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

Tools

FlatSat

SIL

HITL environments

Job description

Quantum Space, LLC in Rockville, MD is seeking a Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer to lead integration, verification, validation, and hardware testing of the GNC subsystem from development through flight delivery.

You will own hardware integration, anomaly resolution, and subsystem verification, collaborating with systems, flight software, avionics, propulsion, and mission operations teams in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.