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Apex manufactures satellite buses (spacecraft platforms) at scale, combining software, vertical integration, and hardware designed for manufacturing. These platforms enable earth observation, communications, and other critical space missions.
As Principal Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer, you will lead GNC development across Apex's growing fleet of spacecraft platforms. This is a leadership role responsible for the full engineering lifecycle: spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, integration & test (I&T), and vehicle-level I&T.
Key responsibilities include:
- Architect GNC design, modeling, and analysis for diverse spacecraft across LEO, MEO, GEO, and RPOD missions
- Design flight software, algorithms, and simulation products
- Develop spacecraft autonomy tools for constellation management
- Select GNC components and design subsystems
- Develop and execute test processes, including hardware-in-the-loop and Monte Carlo simulation
- Define fault detection and response strategies
- Integrate flight and simulation software with modern analysis, test, and operations tools
- Support design reviews and customer interactions
- Plan schedules, maintain milestones, and report technical status to department leads and program managers
You will work cross-functionally with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, and directly interface with customers to ensure mission success.
Required qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field (advanced degrees preferred); 15+ years GNC/ADCS industry experience; 5+ years developing/operating spacecraft or satellites; proven experience leading teams of 3+ direct reports; hands-on experience with IMU, reaction wheels, star trackers, gyroscopes, and other GNC hardware; experience developing blended attitude solutions from sensor data; demonstrated flight software development and verification; on-orbit operations and anomaly resolution experience; experience working multiple projects simultaneously and determining team priorities; GNC-related business development or conceptual design background preferred.
