Principal Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer
Quantum Space
<p><strong>Who We're Looking For&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>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.&nbsp;</p> <p>We are seeking a Principal Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation &amp; Control Engineer to serve as the technical authority for the GNC subsystem across multiple spacecraft programs, leading architecture, design, procurement, integration, and verification.&nbsp;</p> <hr> <p><strong>Where You'll Make an Impact</strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Own the end-to-end GNC/ACS architecture from concept development through flight operations.&nbsp;</li> <li>Own GNC subsystem level requirements.&nbsp;</li> <li>Lead spacecraft attitude and control system design, including actuator sizing, sensor selection, control authority, and momentum management strategy.&nbsp;</li> <li>Define and implement control laws for high-ΔV maneuvering, precision pointing, station-keeping, and proximity operations.&nbsp;</li> <li>Architect state estimation frameworks (EKF/UKF, sensor fusion pipelines, covariance management) for robust on-orbit performance.&nbsp;</li> <li>Develop and maintain high-fidelity 6DOF spacecraft simulation environments for analysis, trade studies, verification, and anomaly resolution.&nbsp;</li> <li>Establish GNC verification and validation strategy across analysis, SIL/HIL, hardware integration, and flight test.&nbsp;</li> <li>Support propulsion-coupled dynamics modeling, including thrust misalignment, slosh effects, and flexible-body considerations as needed.&nbsp;</li> <li>Lead GNC participation in system-level reviews (MCR, SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and serve as the primary technical voice for the discipline.&nbsp;</li> <li>Analyze flight telemetry and test data to assess performance, diagnose anomalies, and drive configuration or algorithm updates.&nbsp;</li> <li>Define safe-mode, fault management, and degraded control strategies in partnership with FSW and systems engineering.&nbsp;</li> <li>Mentor and manage GNC engineers, establishing best practices, code standards, simulation frameworks, and technical rigor across the team.&nbsp;</li> <li>Support early-orbit operations and critical mission phases as required.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <hr> <p><strong>What It Takes&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li>B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.&nbsp;</li> <li>15+ years of experience in spacecraft GNC/ACS development, including full lifecycle flight programs.&nbsp;</li> <li>Demonstrated ownership of a spacecraft attitude and/or orbit control system through design, integration, and flight.&nbsp;</li> <li>Deep expertise in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, estimation theory, and modern control methods.&nbsp;</li> <li>Strong experience with thruster-based ACS architectures and propulsion-coupled control systems.&nbsp;</li> <li>Proven ability to independently architect GNC systems and make system-level trade decisions.&nbsp;</li> <li>Experience implementing flight algorithms in C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink, with awareness of real-time constraints.&nbsp;</li> <li>Experience integrating GNC with flight software and avionics, including SIL/HIL validation.&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to analyze telemetry and diagnose complex on-orbit or integrated system anomalies.&nbsp;</li>