Senior Spacecraft ADCS/GNC Lead Engineer

Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX, seeks an experienced ADCS/GNC engineer to design and deploy attitude control systems, develop high-fidelity simulations, and support mission design and flight operations. You will lead technical teams, collaborate with systems, propulsion, avionics and flight software groups, and contribute to ADCS concepts across the full mission lifecycle.

This on-site role requires 6–10 years of hands-on ADCS/GNC experience, strong programming in

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's or a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, and Electrical Engineering or related engineering degree field with experience in ADCS/GNC.
• 6–10 years: Demonstrated technical expertise in simulation development and control/guidance design for spacecraft, including deployment to flight or on orbit operations.
• 6–10 years: Experience implementing GNC/ADCS algorithms in flight software or hardware in the loop environments.
• 6–10 years: Proficiency in: Python, C++, or Matlab for analysis and development.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine spacecraft ADCS/GNC architectures, algorithms, and flight software and build, maintain and validate 3D3DOF/6DOF simulations to support design, verification, and mission analysis.
• Perform spacecraft dynamics and control analysis, including performance assessments, sensitivity studies, and hardware/sensor trade offs.
• Support mission design activities, including trajectory design, maneuver planning, and operational concept development.
• Participate in integration, verification, and validation activities, including hardware in the loop simulations and flight readiness efforts.
• Support test and flight operations: configuration of ADCS/GNC systems for flight, real time monitoring, anomaly investigation, etc.
• Document designs, analyses, test plans, and results; present findings to cross functional engineering teams, management, and customers.
• Collaborate with systems, propulsion, structures, avionics, and flight software teams to ensure robust end to end spacecraft performance.
• Contribute to the development and analysis of future ADCS concepts, architectures, and enabling technologies.

Skills

GNC/ADCS expertise

Simulation development

Flight dynamics analysis

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace/Astronautical/Space Systems or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Python

C++

MATLAB

Job description

Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX, seeks an experienced ADCS/GNC engineer to design and deploy attitude control systems, develop high-fidelity simulations, and support mission design and flight operations. You will lead technical teams, collaborate with systems, propulsion, avionics and flight software groups, and contribute to ADCS concepts across the full mission lifecycle.

This on-site role requires 6–10 years of hands-on ADCS/GNC experience, strong programming in