[Job Radar](https://jobradar.live/) / [Jobs](https://jobradar.live/ilanlar) / Principal Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer Active On-site Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA Posted · 20.09.2026 Greenhouse (US) # Principal Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer Quantum Space Who We're Looking For  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 Principal Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to serve as the technical authority for the GNC subsystem across multiple spacecraft programs, leading architecture, design, procurement, integration, and verification.  Where You'll Make an Impact  Own the end-to-end GNC/ACS architecture from concept development through flight operations.  Own GNC subsystem level requirements.  Lead spacecraft attitude and control system design, including actuator sizing, sensor selection, control authority, and momentum management strategy.  Define and implement control laws for high-ΔV maneuvering, precision pointing, station-keeping, and proximity operations.  Architect state estimation frameworks (EKF/UKF, sensor fusion pipelines, covariance management) for robust on-orbit performance.  Develop and maintain high-fidelity 6DOF spacecraft simulation environments for analysis, trade studies, verification, and anomaly resolution.  Establish GNC verification and validation strategy across analysis, SIL/HIL, hardware integration, and flight test.  Support propulsion-coupled dynamics modeling, including thrust misalignment, slosh effects, and flexible-body considerations as needed.  Lead GNC participation in system-level reviews (MCR, SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and serve as the primary technical voice for the discipline.  Analyze flight telemetry and test data to assess performance, diagnose anomalies, and drive configuration or algorithm updates.  Define safe-mode, fault management, and degraded control strategies in partnership with FSW and systems engineering.  Mentor and manage GNC engineers, establishing best practices, code standards, simulation frameworks, and technical rigor across the team.  Support early-orbit operations and critical mission phases as required.  What It Takes  B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.  15+ years of experience in spacecraft GNC/ACS development, including full lifecycle flight programs.  Demonstrated ownership of a spacecraft attitude and/or orbit control system through design, integration, and flight.  Deep expertise in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, estimation theory, and modern control methods.  Strong experience with thruster-based ACS architectures and propulsion-coupled control systems.  Proven ability to independently architect GNC systems and make system-level trade decisions.  Experience implementing flight algorithms in C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink, with awareness of real-time constraints.  Experience integrating GNC with flight software and avionics, including SIL/HIL validation.  Ability to analyze telemetry and diagnose complex on-orbit or integrated system anomalies.  Systems-level thinking across propulsion, avionics, software, and mission design.  Demonstrated technical leadership and mentorship experience.  Comfort operating in a fast-paced, hardware-integrated environment with evolving mission needs.  Nice-to-Have Experience  Experience with high-ΔV vehicles, cislunar missions, GEO servicing, or RPO missions.  Experience designing control systems for agile or propulsive maneuvering spacecraft.  Background in autonomous maneuver planning or onboard decision-making systems.  Experience with flexible-body dynamics, propellant slosh modeling, or structural-control interaction.  Familiarity with MAX FSW and MAX GDS or other modern COTS flight software frameworks.  Experience with multi-agent relative navigation or machine learning for estimation, perception, or task planning.  Experience leading small technical teams in startup or NewSpace environments.  Prior support of on-orbit commissioning or anomaly resolution efforts.  What You'll Get  Ownership – Build and validate the GNC capability that defines how our spacecraft maneuver, point, and operate autonomously.  Innovation – Shape next-generation GNC architectures, algorithms, and tools for high-agility missions.  Impact – Directly influence spacecraft controllability, autonomy, and mission success across cislunar and GEO operations.  Growth – Collaborate across avionics, FSW, systems, and mission ops, with opportunities to expand into dynamics modeling, autonomy, or flight operations.  Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.  Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA Base Salary: $175,000 - $225,000 The salary range for this role is determined based on a variety of factors including work experience, education, technical expertise, certifications, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.  Additional Requirements  To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.  Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.  This job was verified from Greenhouse (US). Applications are completed on the original source. [Apply on the original listing ↗](https://jobradar.live/ilan/57f2a757-5676-4cf7-ac58-2362cc599c71/git) ## Stop searching one by one for roles like this. Upload your resume or enter your target roles to see your first 3 matches for free. [Find jobs for me →](https://jobradar.live/uye/kayit) Your resume is never shared with employers; it is processed only for matching. Something wrong with this job? ## Similar jobs [Quantum Space Jobs](https://jobradar.live/company/quantum-space) · [Jobs in California](https://jobradar.live/jobs/california) · [Jobs by location](https://jobradar.live/jobs) · [Jobs by company](https://jobradar.live/company) - [Senior Manager, Communications](https://jobradar.live/ilan/607ce223-8944-46ab-bb60-d3b35140fa63) Peak Energy · Burlingame, California - [Seasonal Part-Time Segment Producer](https://jobradar.live/ilan/a6b98b72-93f1-483a-9955-b07ba182f342) The National Football League · Inglewood, California, United States - [Seasonal Part-Time Broadcast Associate](https://jobradar.live/ilan/45d928ea-2531-46ad-b2db-541d36df2884) The National Football League · Inglewood, California, United States - [Service Maintenance Attendant 2](https://jobradar.live/ilan/09584ff7-64c6-4a9b-8595-0f74e483022b) Hawthorne Machinery Co. · Rancho Bernardo, CA - [Senior Account Manager, Branded Promotional Merchandise](https://jobradar.live/ilan/6f1ebb7c-d68a-4c68-ab6d-f69aa15c828b) BDA · Los Angeles, California, United States - [Senior Support Analyst](https://jobradar.live/ilan/912a3a02-bb97-4fc0-8359-643de426092e) OneTrust · Atlanta, Georgia; San Francisco, California - [Staff Software Engineer, Provider Engagement](https://jobradar.live/ilan/fd6e15e8-8cbd-4c2a-8da4-857391171d2f) Zocdoc · New York, NY; Silicon Valley, CA; USA Remote - [Recreational Therapist](https://jobradar.live/ilan/164a9721-f098-4c39-bded-bcace23f17ab) Habitat Health · 702 North Azusa Avenue, West Covina, CA 91791