Spacecraft GNC Engineer — Autonomy & Attitude Control

Quantum Space; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical, dental, vision

Generous leave

401(k) matching

Equity participation

Job summary

Quantum Space is redefining space mobility with high-mobility spacecraft platforms for national security, civil, and commercial missions. We seek a Spacecraft GNC Engineer to own algorithm development, validation, and flight software integration across the spacecraft lifecycle, enabling autonomous navigation and maneuvering.

Ideal candidates have 3–8+ years in GNC, strong control theory, and hands-on experience with C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
• 3–8+ years of experience in spacecraft or GNC development.
• Strong foundation in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, and classical/modern control theory.
• Experience implementing estimation and control algorithms in C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Experience with sensor fusion for spacecraft sensors (IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, GNSS).
• Familiarity with flight software integration, SIL/HIL testing, and simulation pipelines.
• Ability to analyze telemetry, validate performance, and debug GNC-related anomalies.
• Systems-level awareness across avionics, software, and dynamics.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, hardware-integrated environment with shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-fidelity GNC simulation environments for analysis, verification, and mission design.
• Implement and tune attitude control, momentum management, orbit maneuvering, RPO, and station-keeping.
• Perform state estimation design and analysis (EKF/UKF, sensor fusion, GPS/IMU, star tracker pipelines).
• Support integration of GNC algorithms into flight software, including validation through unit test, SIL/HIL, and full-vehicle simulation.
• Collaborate with avionics and sensor teams to define GNC-related ICDs, data flows, timing, and performance budgets.
• Analyze both on-orbit and testbed telemetry to evaluate GNC performance and inform updates to algorithms and configuration.
• Develop tools that improve autonomous maneuver planning, control margin analysis, and attitude/orbit estimation accuracy.
• Support safe-mode and fault management logic development in partnership with FSW and systems engineering.
• Work with the systems team to specify hardware components based on system requirements, and coordinate with vendors to acquire hardware that meet program cost and schedule targets.
• Develop and execute GNC hardware acceptance and performance test plans and procedures.
• Participate in MCR/PDR/CDR, test readiness reviews, and support operations during early-orbit commissioning when needed.
• Contribute to rapid iteration cycles that refine autonomy and maneuverability across successive spacecraft builds.

Skills

Rigid-body dynamics

Orbital mechanics

Control theory

C++

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

Sensor fusion

Flight software integration

SIL/HIL testing

Telemetry analysis

Education

Aerospace Eng degree

Tools

MAX FSW

Simulation pipelines

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining space mobility with high-mobility spacecraft platforms for national security, civil, and commercial missions. We seek a Spacecraft GNC Engineer to own algorithm development, validation, and flight software integration across the spacecraft lifecycle, enabling autonomous navigation and maneuvering.

Ideal candidates have 3–8+ years in GNC, strong control theory, and hands-on experience with C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink.