{"id":760653,"url":"https://alion.io/job/quantumspace-spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer","title":"Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer","company":{"id":3813300,"name":"Quantum Space","domain":"quantumspaceinc.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/quantumspaceinc","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":95,"open_postings":19,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":119,"computed_at":"2026-11-07T05:47:08Z"}},"role":"Aerospace","role_family":"Aerospace","seniority":"middle","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Tulsa, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":130000,"max":180000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":180000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Sensor Fusion","optional":false},{"name":"Simulink","optional":false},{"name":"Verification & Validation","optional":false},{"name":"Human-in-the-Loop","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-07-27T13:39:31Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-08-05","last_verified_at":"2026-11-08T02:31:53Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":103,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":[],"days_open":102},"description":"Who We're Looking For \nQuantum 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. \nWe are seeking a Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to develop the algorithms, analyses, and flight capabilities that enable our spacecraft to navigate, maneuver, and operate autonomously across a diverse range of space missions. In this role, you will own GNC subsystem development throughout the spacecraft lifecycle, including mission analysis, modeling and simulation, guidance, navigation, and control algorithm development, flight software integration, hardware integration and test, verification and validation, and on-orbit mission support. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is passionate about building next-generation space systems that support mission success. \nWhere You'll Make an Impact \nDevelop high-fidelity spacecraft dynamics and GNC simulation environments to support analysis, verification, and mission design. \nImplement and tune control laws for attitude control, momentum management, orbit maneuvering, RPO, and station-keeping. \nPerform state estimation design and analysis (EKF/UKF, sensor fusion, GPS/IMU, star tracker & sun sensor pipelines). \nSupport integration of GNC algorithms into flight software, including validation through unit test, SIL/HIL, and full-vehicle simulation. \nCollaborate with avionics and sensor teams to define GNC-related ICDs, data flows, timing, and performance budgets. \nAnalyze both on-orbit and testbed telemetry to evaluate GNC performance and inform updates to algorithms and configuration. \nDevelop tools that improve autonomous maneuver planning, control margin analysis, and attitude/orbit estimation accuracy. \nSupport safe-mode and fault management logic development in partnership with FSW and systems engineering. \nWork with the systems team to specify hardware components based on system requirements, and coordinate with vendors to acquire hardware that meet program cost and schedule targets. \nDevelop and execute GNC hardware acceptance and performance test plans and procedures. \nParticipate in MCR/PDR/CDR, test readiness reviews, and support operations during early-orbit commissioning when needed. \nContribute to rapid iteration cycles that refine autonomy and maneuverability across successive spacecraft builds. \nWhat It Takes \nB.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field. \n3-8+ years of experience in spacecraft or high-reliability GNC development. \nStrong foundation in rigid-body dynamics, orbital mechanics, and classical/modern control theory. \nExperience implementing estimation and control algorithms in C++, Python, or MATLAB/Simulink. \nExperience with sensor fusion for spacecraft-relevant sensors (IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, GNSS, ranging sensors). \nFamiliarity with flight software integration, SIL/HIL testing, and simulation pipelines. \nAbility to analyze telemetry, validate performance, and debug GNC-related anomalies. \nSystems-level awareness across avionics, software, and dynamics. \nAbility to operate in a fast-paced, hardware-integrated environment with shifting priorities. \n Nice-to-Have Experience \nExperience with RPO, proximity operations, autonomous maneuver planning, or high-ΔV vehicle dynamics. \nFamiliarity with MAX FSW and MAX GDS or other modern COTS flight software environments. \nExperience with Monte Carlo analysis and large-scale mission simulation. \nExperience with EKF variants, covariance analysis, or nonlinear control approaches. \nBackground with thruster-based ACS, high-agility control architectures, or propulsion-coupled dynamics. \nExperience analyzing 6DOF models incorporating propellant slosh and flexible-body dynamics. \nHands-on experience with testbeds, HITL environments, or closed-loop simulation frameworks. \nExperience with fault management logic, safing modes, and on-orbit anomaly investigation. \nPrior experience working in fast-paced startups or NewSpace organizations.'\n What You'll Get \nOwnership - Build and validate the GNC capability that defines how our spacecraft maneuver, point, and operate autonomously. \nInnovation - Shape next-generation GNC architectures, algorithms, and tools for high-agility missions. \nImpact - Directly influence spacecraft controllability, autonomy, and mission success across cislunar and GEO operations. \nGrowth - Collaborate across avionics, FSW, systems, and mission ops, with opportunities to expand into dynamics modeling, autonomy, or flight operations. \n Compensation - Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation. \nLocation: Rockville, MD\nBase Salary: $130,000 - $180,000\nThe 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. \nAdditional Requirements \nTo 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. \nApply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.","description_format":"text","description_chars":5737,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":3,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Space Services","Space Defense"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-11T18:26:28Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":48,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.799,"p_room":0.6,"age_days":102,"expected_fill_days":119,"reasons":["conf:4","velocity","win:late","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-11-07T05:47:08Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":180000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/quantumspace-spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/quantumspace-spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-08T02:37:18Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":5580,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-09T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":3813300},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=3813300"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fquantumspace-spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fquantumspace-spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fquantumspace-spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/quantumspace-spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fquantumspace-spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":760653}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"quantumspaceinc.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":760653},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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