Senior GNC Engineer

Muon Space, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 138,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Muon Space, based in Mountain View, CA, seeks a Spacecraft Attitude Control System engineer specializing in attitude control design. The role offers a hybrid work model with on-site three days per week and collaboration with Product and Mission Execution teams to develop modular ADCS solutions for spacecraft.

The position emphasizes designing and implementing ACS architectures in embedded C++, defining requirements, performing simulations, and supporting testing and on-orbit operations in a

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or equivalent with 5+ years of professional GNC experience.
• Strong knowledge of control and optimization theory.
• Experience with GNC analysis and design for spacecraft.
• Proficient in embedded C++ programming.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement attitude control architectures and algorithms in an embedded C++ environment.
• Define requirements for ACS hardware and software, including roadmap development.
• Perform analysis and simulation of mission-specific performance.
• Support performance trending and anomaly resolution of on-orbit systems.
• Support software- and hardware-in-the-loop test planning, execution, and validation.

Skills

GNC analysis

Systems mindset

Communication

Education

PhD or Master’s in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

C++

Python

MATLAB

Julia

Job description

About the Role

Muon seeks a talented Spacecraft Attitude Control System (ACS) AKA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) engineer specializing in attitude control design to join our team. The ideal candidate can go both deep and broad across the control system analysis and design process. They would use a “systems mindset” to be a multiplier when collaborating with other disciplines to arrive at an elegant, best-fit spacecraft design. In this role, you will work with Muon’s Product and Mission Execution teams - developing modular, mission-agnostic attitude control schemes for our spacecraft platforms that can be extended to meet mission-specific requirements.

This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our Mountain View, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement attitude control architectures and algorithms in an embedded C++ environment
• Define requirements for ACS algorithms, hardware, and related systems, including roadmap development that unlock new customer opportunities
• Perform analysis and simulation of mission-specific performance
• Support performance trending and anomaly resolution of on-orbit systems, including oncall duties
• Support software- and hardware-in-the-loop test planning, execution, and validation

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or equivalent plus 5+ years of professional experience, OR several years of experience hands-on with GNC analysis and design
• Software skills in C++
• Knowledge of control and optimization theory
• Experience working with common LEO platform attitude actuators and sensors, including reaction wheels, magnetorquers, gyros, star trackers, and magnetometers
• Expertise in common numerical programming environments (Python, Julia, MATLAB)
• Experience designing, analyzing, and implementing ADCS/GNC subsystems for spacecraft
• Excellent communication, presentation, and coordination skills
• Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new opportunities each week
• Experience with control stability analysis of flexible bodies

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience with ADCS of low-jitter precision pointing platforms, control moment gyros, and vibration isolation
• Experience with spacecraft flight operations

Salary

The salary range for this role is $138,000 - $208,000 plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.

About Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.

Taking Care of Our Team

At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.

Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.