Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer

Socket.dev; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

HSA

401(k) matching

Equity participation

Generous leave

Job summary

Quantum Space in Rockville, MD is seeking a Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer to lead integration, verification and hardware testing of the GNC subsystem. The role focuses on owning hardware integration from component level through flight acceptance and developing automated verification procedures.

You will work with systems, flight software, avionics, propulsion, and mission operations teams to ensure a fully verified and flight-ready spacecraft, with a base salary range and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 3–8+ years of spaceflight GNC development experience.
• Strong foundation in dynamics and control theory.
• Experience with sensor fusion for spacecraft sensors (IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, GNSS).
• Experience developing, documenting, and executing formal test procedures and verification plans.
• Hands-on testing attitude control hardware and troubleshooting integration/test issues.
• Proficiency with C++, MATLAB/Simulink, Python for analysis and simulations.
• Experience performing Monte Carlo analyses and evaluating mission robustness.

Responsibilities

• Own integration, verification, validation, and flight acceptance of the GNC subsystem from development through delivery.
• Develop and automate GNC verification procedures for subsystem and environmental testing.
• Plan and execute hardware characterization, calibration, and sensor alignment activities.
• Develop HITL, SIL, FlatSat, and closed-loop simulations to verify flight software and behavior.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, avionics, propulsion, and flight software; troubleshoot issues.
• Correlate simulation results with test data to validate GNC models and control systems.
• Perform Monte Carlo analyses to verify operating modes and robustness across uncertainties.
• Provide verification evidence and participate in technical reviews.

Skills

Rigid-body dynamics

Control theory

Sensor fusion

GNC analysis

Analytical skills

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering, Robotics

Tools

C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

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, safing modes, and on-orbit anomaly investigation.
• Prior experience working in fast-paced startups or NewSpace organizations.

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.

Location: Rockville, MD

Base Salary: $130,000 - $180,000

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 in the majority of full-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.