Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer

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

Who We're Looking For

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

We are seeking a Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer to lead integration, verification, validation, and hardware testing of the Guidance, Navigation & Control subsystem. In this role, you will own GNC hardware integration, anomaly resolution, and subsystem verification from component integration through flight acceptance. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working where simulation meets flight hardware.

Where You'll Make an Impact

• Own integration, verification, validation, and flight acceptance of the spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) subsystem from engineering development through spacecraft delivery.
• Develop, document, execute, and automate GNC verification procedures supporting subsystem, system, qualification, acceptance, and environmental testing.
• Plan and execute GNC hardware characterization and calibration activities, including inertial sensor characterization (Allan variance, bias instability, and angular random walk), sensor alignment, timing synchronization and phasing, and spacecraft magnetic characterization campaigns.
• Develop and operate Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL), Software-in-the-Loop (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, dynamic models, estimation performance, and control system behavior.
• Perform Monte Carlo analyses and mission-level performance assessments to verify spacecraft operating modes, robustness, and requirements compliance across expected uncertainties and disturbances.
• Analyze spacecraft telemetry and test data to identify root cause, recommend corrective actions, and improve GNC subsystem performance throughout integration, environmental test, and flight operations.
• Develop verification evidence supporting requirements closure and participate in technical reviews.
• Collaborate closely with systems, flight software, avionics, propulsion, mission design, and mission operations teams to deliver a fully verified and flight-ready spacecraft.

What It Takes

• B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
• 3–8+ years of experience 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, ranging sensors).
• 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 conductingMonte Carlo analysesto 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.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Hands‑on experience with testbeds, HITL environments, or closed‑loop simulation frameworks.
• Experience supporting spacecraft integration, verification, validation, and environmental testing
• Experience with requirements verification and validation using systems engineering processes.
• Knowledge of aerospace industry standards and best practices for spacecraft testing and verification.
• Experience with RPO, proximity operations, autonomous maneuver planning, or high-ΔV vehicle dynamics.
• Familiarity with MAX FSW and MAX GDS or other modern COTS flight software environments.
• Experience with EKF variants, covariance analysis, or nonlinear control approaches.
• Background with thruster‑based ACS, high‑agility control architectures, or propulsion‑coupled dynamics.
• Experience analyzing 6DOF models incorporating propellant slosh and flexible‑body dynamics.
• Experience with fault management logic,safingmodes, and on‑orbit anomaly investigation.
• Prior experience working in fast‑paced startups orNewSpaceorganizations.

What You'll Get

• Ownership – Build and validate the GNC capability that defines how our spacecraft maneuver, point, and operate autonomously.
• Innovation – Shape next‑generation GNC architectures, algorithms, and tools for high‑agility missions.
• Impact – Directly influence spacecraft controllability, autonomy, and mission success across cislunar and GEO operations.
• Growth – Collaborate across avionics, FSW, systems, and mission ops, with opportunities to expand into dynamics modeling, autonomy, or flight operations.
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.

The salary range for this role is determined based on a variety of factors including work experience, education, technical expertise, certifications, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included inthe majority offull-time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Voluntary Self-Identification

As set forth in Quantum Space’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp .

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