Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Salary + equity

Medical, dental, vision

Generous leave

HSA

401(k) matching

Equity participation

Job summary

Quantum Space in Rockville, MD is seeking a Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to own GNC development across the spacecraft lifecycle, including mission analysis, modeling and simulation, guidance, navigation, and control algorithm development.

The role involves integrating GNC algorithms into flight software, hardware integration and test, and on-orbit mission support with a fast-paced, startup-like environment.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, robotics or related field.
• 3–8+ years of space GNC development experience.
• Strong knowledge of rigid-body dynamics and orbital mechanics.
• Experience implementing estimation and control in C++, Python or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Experience with sensor fusion for space sensors (IMUs, star trackers, GNSS).
• Familiarity with flight software integration, SIL/HIL testing, and simulation pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-fidelity GNC simulations for analysis and mission design.
• Implement and tune attitude control and orbit maneuvers.
• Design state estimation pipelines (EKF/UKF) and sensor fusion.
• Integrate GNC algorithms into flight software and validate with tests.
• Collaborate across avionics, software, and dynamics teams to meet performance budgets.

Skills

Spacecraft dynamics

GNC development

Control theory

C++, Python, MATLAB/Simulink

Sensor fusion

Flight software integration

SIL/HIL testing

Education

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

Tools

SIL/HIL tooling

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 Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to develop the algorithms, analyses, and flight capabilities that enable our spacecraft to navigate, maneuver, and operate autonomously across a diverse range of space missions

In this role, you will own GNC subsystem development throughout the spacecraft lifecycle, including mission analysis, modeling and simulation, guidance, navigation, and control algorithm development, flight software integration, hardware integration and test, verification and validation, and on-orbit mission support

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is passionate about building next-generation space systems that support mission success.

Where You\'ll Make an Impact

• Develop high-fidelity spacecraft dynamics and GNC simulation environments to support analysis, verification, and mission design.
• Implement and tune control laws for attitude control, momentum management, orbit maneuvering, RPO, and station-keeping.
• Perform state estimation design and analysis (EKF/UKF, sensor fusion, GPS/IMU, star tracker & sun sensor 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.

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, 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-relevant sensors (IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, GNSS, ranging sensors).
• 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.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• 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 Monte Carlo analysis and large-scale mission simulation.
• 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.
• Hands-on experience with testbeds, HITL environments, or closed-loop simulation frameworks.
• 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.