Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer

🏢 Summary: Hands-on Loads and Dynamics Engineer role focused on analyzing and validating spacecraft structural and dynamic performance across transportation, launch, deployment, and on-orbit operations. The position covers finite element modeling, vibration and shock analysis, environmental testing, data processing, and model correlation for large deployable space structures. It involves end-to-end ownership of dynamic testing and close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure spacecraft reliability and qualification. 🗂️ Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related technical field, 4+ years of experience in dynamics, structural analysis, mechanical testing, or aerospace hardware development, Experience analyzing test data and supporting mechanical qualification of flight or launch vehicle systems, Strong fundamentals in vibrations, structural dynamics, mechanics, and frequency-domain analysis, Experience with finite element modeling or structural analysis tools, Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as required, U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or eligibility under U.S. export regulations 📃 Skills: Ansys, NX, FEM, Vibration, Modal, Acoustic, Shock, SignalProcessing, StructuralDynamics, FiniteElementModeling, Python, MATLAB, DataProcessing, FrequencyDomain, Fatigue, Stability 🏢 Description: Company Overview: Starcloud is building a network of data centers in space, starting at kilowatts and scaling to gigawatt capacity. Falling launch costs allow the company to take advantage of abundant energy, radiative cooling techniques, and rapid scaling in space. Position Overview As a Loads and Dynamics Engineer, you will be responsible for low- and high-frequency loads, vibration, shock, and dynamic environments for spacecraft during ground transportation, launch, deployment, and on-orbit operations. This role is highly hands-on and spans analysis, test planning, hardware instrumentation, test execution, data processing, and model correlation. You will work closely with mechanical, mechanisms, structures, thermal, avionics, and integration teams to ensure space-based data centers can survive launch, deploy reliably, and operate safely in orbit. The ideal candidate has strong intuition in the frequency domain, solid analytical and software skills, and a bias toward building, testing, and iterating quickly. Key Responsibilities Loads, Dynamics, and Structural Analysis - Resolve spacecraft dynamics problems through analysis, test, and model correlation. - Develop and maintain finite element models for spacecraft structures, mechanisms, deployable solar arrays, deployable radiators, and related hardware. - Perform dynamic analyses for launch, transportation, deployment, and on-orbit operational environments. - Analyze vibration, shock, acoustic, transient, modal, and forcing-function environments. - Support stress, fatigue, stability, and margin analyses to improve spacecraft reliability. - Use commercial and in-house tools to perform analysis and develop new tools where needed. Testing and Validation - Own dynamic testing from start to finish, including pre-test analysis, test planning, sensor selection, instrumentation, setup, execution, data processing, and post-test reporting. - Plan and execute vibration, modal, shock, and other environmental tests for spacecraft hardware. - Process and interpret test data using signal processing techniques. - Correlate test results with analytical models and update models as needed. - Define qualification and acceptance test approaches for flight hardware. - Produce clear test reports, analysis documentation, and recommendations for design improvements. Tooling and Cross-Functional Engineering - Build scripts, analysis pipelines, databases, and internal tools to improve speed and quality of dynamics work. - Work with design engineers to identify and resolve structural or dynamic risks early in the design cycle. - Support trades across mass, stiffness, manufacturability, cost, schedule, reliability, and performance. - Collaborate with manufacturing, integration, and test teams to ensure hardware is designed for efficient build and qualification. - Contribute to fast design iteration for large lightweight deployable spacecraft structures. Basic Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline. - 4+ years of experience in dynamics, structural analysis, mechanical testing, or hands-on aerospace hardware development. - Experience analyzing test data, building hardware, or supporting mechanical qualification of flight or launch vehicle systems. - Strong analytical fundamentals in vibrations, structural dynamics, mechanics, and frequency-domain analysis. - Experience with finite element modeling or structural analysis tools. Preferred Qualifications - Master’s or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. - Experience with vibration, modal, acoustic, or shock testing. - Experience with Ansys, NX, or similar analysis tools. - Experience building, correlating, and validating finite element models. - Working knowledge of strength, stability, fatigue, and failure mechanisms. - Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, satellite, or deployable space structures. - Experience with large lightweight structures, deployable solar arrays, deployable radiators, or spacecraft mechanisms. - Strong software skills for analysis automation, data processing, signal processing, or internal tool development. - Ability to work independently in a fast-moving hardware development environment. Compensation and Benefits Annual salary: $130,000 - $200,000 - Stock options, discretionary bonuses, and other long-term incentives. - Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage. - 401(k) retirement plan with company match. - Short- and long-term disability insurance. - Life insurance. - Paid parental leave. - Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave. Actual compensation will be determined based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, and level. Additional Requirements: - Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical project milestones. - Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for authorization under U.S. export regulations. Equal Opportunity Employer: Starcloud is committed to fostering an inclusive and meritocratic workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application or interview process should notify the Human Resources Department.

🏢 Summary: Staff Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer responsible for the full lifecycle of ADCS and Propulsion subsystems for a constellation of radar imaging spacecraft and future quantum space missions. The role includes designing control algorithms, leading subsystem development, building high-fidelity simulations, and supporting on-orbit operations. This position works cross-functionally to ensure spacecraft performance and mission success. 🗂️ Requirements: Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, physics, or related field, 5+ years experience in GNC, ADCS, or control systems for spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or UAVs, Strong knowledge of state estimation and filtering, Strong understanding of rigid body and flexible dynamics, Experience leading hardware development projects, Familiarity with orbital dynamics and Low Earth Orbit environment, Proficiency in Python or MATLAB, Eligibility under U.S. export control regulations (ITAR) 📃 Skills: GNC, ADCS, Control, StateEstimation, Filtering, OrbitalDynamics, LEO, Python, MATLAB, Simulink, C++, Simulations, Propulsion, StarTrackers, Gyroscopes, GPS 🏢 Description: 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, and a 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.