Recent Graduate - Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer

Katalyst Space; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation bonus

Stock options

Medical coverage

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Katalyst Space is seeking a highly capable GNC engineer to design, analyze, and validate guidance, navigation, and control systems for our spacecraft. You will own end-to-end GNC problems, work with simulation environments and hardware-in-the-loop tools, and collaborate across software, avionics, and mechanical teams to ensure reliable flight performance.

The role emphasizes hands-on execution, quick learning of new dynamics and sensors, and producing clear technical documentation and decisions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace/ mechanical / electrical engineering, applied math, physics, robotics, or a related technical field.
• Strong grounding in rigid-body dynamics, controls, estimation, navigation, orbital mechanics, or related GNC fundamentals.
• Hands-on GNC experience via internships, research, student projects, or prior work.
• Ability to break down GNC problems, build models, and validate with sim/test/data.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, analyze, and integrate GNC systems for spacecraft.
• Own well-scoped GNC problems from definition to modeling and testing with senior support.
• Work with simulation environments, flight/test data, and hardware-in-the-loop or software-in-the-loop tools.
• Participate in design reviews, test campaigns, and mission-readiness activities; communicate outcomes clearly.
• Collaborate with software, avionics, mechanical, propulsion, systems, and mission-ops teams.

Skills

GNC fundamentals

Simulation

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Katalyst Description

Katalyst is an American technology company focused on dynamic space operations. We are building a fleet of dual-use multipurpose robotic space vehicles to create the future where maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, resupply and exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained, responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space exploration that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Katalyst Description

Katalyst is an American technology company focused on dynamic space operations. We are building a fleet of dual-use multipurpose robotic space vehicles to create the future where maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, resupply and exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained, responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space exploration that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Katalyst Culture

Working at Katalyst is intense, hands‑on, and deeply rewarding. You’ll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real. We value humility, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way, even when it’s harder. You’ll work closely with thoughtful, driven teammates who push each other to do their best.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute directly to the design, development, analysis, integration, test, and operation of spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control systems.
• Own well‑scoped GNC problems from definition through modeling, algorithm development, simulation, test, documentation, and closure with support from senior engineers.
• Work hands‑on with simulation environments, flight and test data, hardware‑in‑the‑loop or software‑in‑the‑loop tools, sensor and actuator interfaces, and mission‑analysis outputs.
• Participate in design reviews, test campaigns, anomaly investigations, and mission‑readiness activities; communicate GNC performance, risks, assumptions, and decisions clearly.
• Collaborate across software, avionics, mechanical, propulsion, systems, and mission operations to understand interfaces and system‑level impacts on GNC performance.
• Build engineering judgment by comparing analytical models and simulations against test or operational data, identifying discrepancies, and iterating toward reliable flight performance.
• Document models, algorithms, assumptions, requirements, interfaces, Monte Carlo results, test results, procedures, and technical decisions so others can review and reproduce the work.
• Take increasing ownership as technical capability grows, progressing from supervised analysis and implementation tasks toward independent feature-, algorithm-, or subsystem‑level responsibility.
• Support spacecraft mission execution by helping translate mission objectives and constraints into credible GNC analyses, algorithms, test plans, and operational recommendations.

Required

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree completed, or expected before start date, in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Math, Physics, Robotics, or a closely related technical field.
• Strong academic or project‑based grounding in rigid‑body dynamics, controls, estimation, navigation, orbital mechanics, numerical methods, or related GNC fundamentals, with the ability to explain technical reasoning from first principles.
• Demonstrated hands‑on GNC experience through internships, research, student spacecraft or robotics teams, capstone projects, personal projects, laboratories, or prior employment.
• Ability to break down ambiguous GNC problems, identify assumptions, build appropriate models, make reasonable tradeoffs, and validate work through simulation, test, or data.
• Clear written and verbal technical communication, including the ability to explain what was personally modeled, coded, analyzed, tuned, tested, or debugged versus what was completed by a team.
• Comfort learning new spacecraft dynamics, sensors, actuators, software tools, and mission concepts quickly in an environment where responsibilities may evolve with program needs.
• Ability to collaborate closely with software, avionics, propulsion, mechanical, systems, and mission‑operations engineers and accept direct technical feedback without losing ownership of the problem.
• Ability to comply with applicable export‑control requirements and customer‑access restrictions.

Your Ideal Background

Preferred

• Internship, research, co‑op, or project experience in spacecraft GNC, flight dynamics, robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace, defense technology, or another controls‑or estimation‑intensive environment.
• Experience taking a GNC model, algorithm, or controller from analysis into simulation or test and using the results to drive changes.
• Exposure to dynamics, feedback control, state estimation, navigation, orbital mechanics, trajectory analysis, simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or C/C++.
• Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work hands‑on in the office, lab, integration, or test environment as required and to support occasional extended hours during critical test or mission activities.

Compensation and Benefits

Your base salary will be determined on a case‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $80,000 - $105,000 annually.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.

At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently, our available roles necessitate access to ITAR‑controlled information, and as a result, Katalyst would have to ensure any non‑US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.