Staff Engineer - GNC/ADCS

The Role

As a Staff Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of the Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) and Propulsion subsystems for a constellation of radar imaging spacecraft and future quantum space missions. You will serve as a cognizant engineer for GNC hardware and software and work closely with a multidisciplinary team to ensure spacecraft meet mission objectives and to design next-generation systems. This role sits in the Spacecraft Engineering organization alongside systems, thermal, electrical/harnessing, mechanical/deployables, radar/communications, and flight software engineers.

Responsibilities

• Drive the full lifecycle for ADCS and Propulsion systems: design, build, test, on-orbit operations, and decommissioning.
• Generate and own ADCS and Propulsion performance requirements to satisfy mission objectives.
• Lead research and development for new spacecraft subsystems, conduct trade studies, system sizing, and present at design reviews.
• Act as a technical authority on control theory; design and implement state estimators and control algorithms for spacecraft localization and pointing.
• Develop custom software tools to automate engineering workflows and enhance on-orbit operational efficiency.
• Build high-fidelity software simulations to model spacecraft dynamics and system behavior.
• Serve as subject matter expert for ADCS and Propulsion and as technical contact for external vendors and partners.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience with GNC, ADCS, or control systems on spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or UAVs/drones.
• Solid understanding of state estimation/filtering and rigid body and flexible dynamics.
• Demonstrated leadership of hardware development projects.
• Familiarity with orbital dynamics and the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment.
• Familiarity with a scripting language such as Python or MATLAB.
• Must meet U.S. export control and ITAR requirements.

Preferred Qualification

• Familiarity with GNC/ADCS hardware such as star trackers, sun sensors, reaction wheels, torque rods, control moment gyroscopes, propulsion systems, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and GPS.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or C/C++ and experience developing flight software.
• Experience operating in real-time environments and managing technical risk.

Compensation

The approximate base salary range for this position is $145,920 - $182,000. Final salary is determined based on education, qualifications, experience, office location, market data, and internal equity.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401(k) matching
• Unlimited PTO and paid holidays
• Parental/adoption leave
• Legal insurance
• Home technology stipend

U.S. Export Control Requirements

Employment is contingent upon verification of U.S. Person status or eligibility to obtain required authorizations under U.S. export control regulations and government contract restrictions.