GNC Engineer, Space Emerging Talent

About The Role

We're looking for an Early Career GNC Engineer to join our rapidly growing Space team in Costa Mesa, CA. As an Early Career GNC Engineer on our Space team, you will contribute directly to the analysis, design, simulation, and testing of satellite GNC subsystems. Working alongside experienced engineers, you will gain hands-on exposure across the full spacecraft lifecycle—from physics modeling and algorithm development to hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing and on-orbit operations. This role is ideal for a high-performing recent graduate or early-career engineer who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to make an immediate impact on real-world space missions. You will help build and field resilient, software-defined spacecraft systems across various orbits and dynamic mission profiles, including Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD).

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and tuning of spacecraft GNC algorithms, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), orbit determination, and maneuver planning.
• Develop, maintain, and run 3-DOF and 6-DOF physics-based simulation environments to validate vehicle performance and conduct Monte Carlo analyses.
• Collaborate with the Flight Software team to implement, test, and verify GNC algorithms in embedded C++ or Python environments.
• Support subsystem and vehicle-level testing on FlatSats and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) testbeds, identifying anomalies and verifying sensor/actuator performance.
• Cross collaborate with other Space Engineering teams like Flight Software, Systems Engineering, and Hardware teams to turn mission requirements into functional flight capability.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Must be pursuing or have recently completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer/Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
• 0–2 years of professional, internship, or hands-on university project team experience (e.g., university CubeSat team, rocketry club, high-altitude balloon project, or related multidisciplinary engineering team).
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and detailed requirements.
• Capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight.
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material.
• Foundational knowledge in relevant areas like spacecraft dynamics, orbital mechanics, classical/modern control theory, astrodynamics, etc.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB/Simulink, or modern C++.
• Substantiated track record of execution and delivering actionable results.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with satellite design, integration, or operations via university CubeSat missions or aerospace industry internships.
• Familiarity with state estimation techniques (e.g., Extended Kalman Filters) and common GNC hardware (star trackers, IMUs, reaction wheels, torque rods, propulsion systems).
• Exposure to Linux environments, Git version control, and continuous integration (CI) workflows.
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) testbeds, FlatSat environments, or physical lab test equipment.
• Familiarity with orbital rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) concepts.