Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer

Quantum Space•Rockville, MD

16d•$130,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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 Haves

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.
Experience analyzing 6DOF models incorporating propellant slosh and flexible-body dynamics.
Experience with fault management logic, safing modes, and on-orbit anomaly investigation.
Prior experience working in fast-paced startups or NewSpace organizations.

Responsibilities

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.