Engineer

A fast-growing satellite company is looking for a Senior Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer to join a small spacecraft team building the next generation of LEO communications satellites.

This is a highly hands‑on role where you will design, implement, and deploy real spacecraft GNC algorithms, working closely with flight software, hardware, and mission operations teams as satellites move from concept through launch and on‑orbit operations.

The team is developing and launching a new satellite platform, with multiple spacecraft launches planned over the next four years, starting with the first launch later this year.

If you enjoy solving difficult spacecraft problems, writing real flight algorithms, and working in a small, fast‑moving engineering team, this role offers the opportunity to directly shape the next generation of satellite systems.

What You'll Work On

• Designing and implementing spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control algorithms
• Developing orbit determination and maneuver planning solutions for LEO satellites
• Writing flight‑ready software for GNC systems in Python, C, or C++
• Performing trade studies, modeling, simulation, and Monte Carlo analysis
• Supporting integration, testing, and hardware validation of spacecraft subsystems
• Working closely with flight software, avionics, and hardware teams
• Troubleshooting real spacecraft behavior during integration, test, and on‑orbit operations
• Improving fault detection, mitigation, and robustness of spacecraft control systems

Core Experience

What They're Looking For

• MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related field
• 6+ years of experience in spacecraft GNC or ADCS systems
• Experience with satellite attitude estimation, navigation, and control
• Experience designing orbit determination and maneuver planning algorithms
• Strong programming ability in Python, C, or C++
• Experience working on real spacecraft missions from concept through operations
• Familiarity with LEO satellite missions

Technical Strengths

• Nonlinear estimation methods (e.g., Kalman Filters / EKF / UKF)
• Spacecraft trajectory and orbital analysis
• Simulation and modeling tools such as Basilisk, GMAT, STK, or FreeFlyer
• Understanding of spacecraft pointing modes, maneuver planning, and mission operations
• Experience supporting integration, test, and on‑orbit anomaly resolution

Nice to Have

• Focus on navigation / orbit determination
• CubeSat or SmallSat mission experience
• Experience with low‑thrust maneuver planning
• Communications satellite experience
• Hands‑on work with spacecraft hardware or test environments

What Makes This Role Different

• Work on a small, tightly integrated spacecraft team
• Engineers own both algorithms and software implementation
• Direct interaction with hardware, flight software, and mission operations
• Opportunity to improve real spacecraft systems that are flying soon
• Startup‑style environment where engineers can move quickly and make technical decisions