Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer
Quantum SpaceRockville, Maryland, United States · Posted 1 month agoDescription
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 GNC Integration & Test Engineer to lead integration, verification, validation, and hardware testing of the Guidance, Navigation & Control subsystem. In this role, you will own GNC hardware integration, anomaly resolution, and subsystem verification from component integration through flight acceptance. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working where simulation meets flight hardware.
Where You'll Make an Impact
- Own integration, verification, validation, and flight acceptance of the spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) subsystem from engineering development through spacecraft delivery.
- Develop, document, execute, and automate GNC verification procedures supporting subsystem, system, qualification, acceptance, and environmental testing.
- Plan and execute GNC hardware characterization and calibration activities, including inertial sensor characterization (Allan variance, bias instability, and angular random walk), sensor alignment, timing synchronization and phasing, and spacecraft magnetic characterization campaigns.
- Develop and operate Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), FlatSat, and closed-loop simulation environments to verify flight software and spacecraft behavior.
- Integrate and validate spacecraft sensors, actuators, avionics, propulsion, and flight software while troubleshooting hardware, software, and system-level anomalies.
- Correlate high-fidelity simulation results with hardware test data to validate GNC algorithms, dynamic models, estimation performance, and control system behavior.
- Perform Monte Carlo analyses and mission-level performance assessments to verify spacecraft operating modes, robustness, and requirements compliance across expected uncertainties and disturbances.
- Analyze spacecraft telemetry and test data to identify root cause, recommend corrective actions, and improve GNC subsystem performance throughout integration, environmental test, and flight operations.
- Develop verification evidence supporting requirements closure and participate in technical reviews.
- Collaborate closely with systems, flight software, avionics, propulsion, mission design, and mission operations teams to deliver a fully verified and flight-ready spacecraft.
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, and classical/modern control theory.
- Experience with sensor fusion for spacecraft-relevant sensors (IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, GNSS, ranging sensors).
- Experience developing, documenting, executing, and following formal test procedures and verification plans
- Hands-on experience testing attitude control system hardware and ability to troubleshoot issues encountered during integration and test activities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret technical data and recommend corrective actions
- Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary engineering teams, with strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate technical issues and risks.
- Proficiency with engineering analysis and simulation tools such as C++, MATLAB/Simulink, Python.
- Experience conducting Monte Carlo analyses to verify spacecraft operating modes, mission performance, and system robustness under varying conditions and uncertainties.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, hardware-integrated environment with shifting priorities.
Nice-to-Have Experience
- Hands-on experience with testbeds, HITL environments, or closed-loop simulation frameworks.
- Experience supporting spacecraft integration, verification, validation, and environmental testing
- Experience with requirements verification and validation using systems engineering processes.
- Knowledge of aerospace industry standards and best practices for spacecraft testing and verification.
- 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 EKF variants, covariance analysis, or nonlinear control approaches.
- Background with thruster-based ACS, high-agility control architectures, or propulsion-coupled dynamics.
Similar jobs
Est. 124,000 USD
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 pro…
Est. 124,000 USD
CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warf…
Est. 124,000 USD
CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warf…
Est. 124,000 USD
CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warf…
Est. 140,000 USD
CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warf…
Est. 115,000 USD
Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it. OUR MISSION True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autono…
Est. 124,000 USD
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Alt…
Est. 165,000 USD
At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - sol…
Est. 175,000 USD
At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - sol…
Est. 124,000 USD
Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for EarthWho We Are: Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space. Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turni…
Est. 115,000 USD
Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for EarthWho We Are: Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space. Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turni…
ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move f…
Est. 140,000 USD
Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it. OUR MISSION True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autono…
Est. 125,000 USD
ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move f…
ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move f…
Est. 124,000 USD
At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - sol…
Est. 140,000 USD
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Alt…
Est. 125,000 USD
CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warf…
Est. 115,000 USD
The future of aerospace and defense starts here. Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuve…
Est. 115,000 USD
At BETA Technologies, we apply our intellectual curiosity, passion for aviation, and commitment to sustainability toward a shared mission of revolutionizing electric aviation. Regardless of the position one holds, each t…
Est. 85,000 USD
Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it. OUR MISSION True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autono…
Est. 85,000 USD
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Alt…
Est. 115,000 USD
Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for EarthWho We Are: Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space. Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turni…
Est. 124,000 USD
CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warf…
Est. 140,000 USD
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Alt…
Est. 124,000 USD
About The Company: At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will transform how we travel, move freight, and do business. A leader in autonomous driving since 2007, Torc has spent over a decade…
ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move f…
Est. 115,000 USD
Who we are Helsing develops artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies. We are growing our US operations, cultivating an ambitious and committed team of mission-driven professionals to…
Est. 144,000 USD
CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warf…
Est. 115,000 USD
Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it. OUR MISSION True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autono…