Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
5+ years in GNC or attitude control systems for spacecraft or autonomous vehicles.
Strong foundation in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, and control theory.
Experience writing GNC algorithms from first principles.
Proficiency in C++ or Python, and MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
Track record of validated algorithms through hardware testing or flight.
Comfortable owning work across simulation, flight code, and hardware.
Responsibilities
Own guidance, navigation, and control for the spacecraft from architecture through flight.
Design algorithms for slewing, tracking, and fine pointing of a laser payload.
Develop orbit maneuvering and proximity guidance for operations near orbiting objects.
Build state estimation and sensor fusion using various sensors.
Collaborate with perception and targeting engineers for accurate pointing commands.
Model and size actuators and manage the pointing error budget.
Create high-fidelity simulations and mission analyses in relevant software.
Write flight-ready GNC code and integrate it with flight software.
Conduct software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing, supporting on-orbit operations.
Shape mission design and system trade studies.
Benefits
Own GNC on a first-of-its-kind space mission.
Fully remote role.
No-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, with subsidized family coverage.
Meaningful early-stage equity.
Work alongside experienced founders in space hardware design and launch.
Relocation support if company locations evolve.
Full Job Description
GNC Engineer - Maneuver and Point the First Spacecraft to Carry a High-Energy Laser
Remote (U.S.)
Opportunity Summary
Join a newly funded space and defense startup building the first spacecraft to carry a high-energy laser into orbit. As a GNC Engineer, you will own how the spacecraft maneuvers, holds attitude, and points its laser and sensors with precision at objects in orbit.
This role covers traditional spacecraft GNC and precision instrument pointing, and it works hand in hand with the perception and targeting software that tells the vehicle where to look. You will write the algorithms from scratch, prove them in simulation, and carry them into flight software on a small team where everyone owns a lot. This is a fully remote role open to candidates anywhere in the U.S.
Job Duties
Own guidance, navigation, and control for the spacecraft from architecture through flight.
Design attitude determination and control algorithms for slewing, tracking, and fine pointing of a laser payload.
Develop orbit maneuvering, relative motion, and proximity guidance for operating near objects in orbit.
Build state estimation and sensor fusion using star trackers, IMUs, GNSS, and payload sensors.
Partner with perception and targeting engineers so tracking data drives stable, accurate pointing commands.
Model and size actuators such as reaction wheels, thrusters, and fine steering mechanisms, and own the pointing error budget.
Build high-fidelity 6DOF simulations and mission analyses in STK, MATLAB/Simulink, and Python.
Write flight-ready GNC code and integrate it with flight software and avionics.
Run software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing, then support on-orbit operations.
Shape mission design, concept of operations, and system trade studies.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
5+ years developing GNC or attitude control systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, aircraft, or other autonomous vehicles.
Strong foundation in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, control theory, and Kalman filtering.
Experience writing GNC algorithms from first principles, not only running existing simulations.
Proficiency in C++ or Python, plus MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
Track record of algorithms validated through hardware testing or flight.
Comfort owning work across simulation, flight code, and hardware on a small team.
U.S. citizen or permanent resident, willing to obtain a security clearance.
Preferred Experience
Flight heritage on spacecraft attitude control, rendezvous and proximity operations, or precision pointing payloads.
GNC for rocket landing, eVTOL aircraft, or autonomous underwater vehicles.
Fine pointing and line-of-sight stabilization for optical or laser systems.
Mission modeling in STK, GMAT, or Basilisk.
Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Controls, or Robotics.
Why Join Us
Own GNC on a first-of-its-kind space mission.
Fully remote role.
No-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, with subsidized family coverage.
Meaningful early-stage equity.
Work alongside founders who have designed, built, and launched complex space hardware.
Relocation support if company locations evolve as we grow.
