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Quantum Space is seeking a Principal Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer to serve as the technical authority for GNC subsystems across multiple spacecraft programs. This role owns end-to-end GNC architecture from concept through flight operations, including subsystem-level requirements, spacecraft attitude and control system design, and control law development for high-ΔV maneuvering, precision pointing, and proximity operations.
Key responsibilities include architecting state estimation frameworks (EKF/UKF, sensor fusion), developing high-fidelity 6DOF spacecraft simulations for analysis and verification, and establishing comprehensive GNC verification and validation strategies spanning analysis, SIL/HIL, hardware integration, and flight test. The role involves propulsion-coupled dynamics modeling, leading GNC participation in system-level reviews (MCR, SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR), analyzing flight telemetry for performance assessment and anomaly diagnosis, and defining safe-mode and fault management strategies.
The engineer will mentor and manage GNC engineers, establishing best practices, code standards, and technical rigor across the team. Required qualifications include 15+ years of spacecraft GNC/ACS development experience with full lifecycle flight programs, demonstrated ownership of attitude/orbit control systems through design, integration, and flight, and deep expertise in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, estimation theory, and modern control methods. Strong experience with thruster-based ACS architectures, flight algorithm implementation (C++, Python, MATLAB/Simulink), GNC-flight software integration, and systems-level thinking across propulsion, avionics, and software is essential. Candidates should demonstrate technical leadership, mentorship experience, and comfort in fast-paced, hardware-integrated environments.
Nice-to-have experience includes high-ΔV vehicles, cislunar missions, GEO servicing, RPO missions, flexible-body dynamics, autonomous maneuver planning, and prior on-orbit commissioning support.
