GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 11, 2026. First seen by Alion on May 16, 2026. Starfish Space scores A on the Alion truth index.
About Starfish Space: Starfish Space provides satellite servicing missions with its Otter servicing vehicle, including life extension missions for geostationary satellites and disposal missions for low Earth orbit satellites. Founded in 2019, Starfish has raised over $150M in venture capital funding and built a team of engineers with experience spanning satellite guidance, navigation, control, and autonomous robotics. Starfish has launched several missions to-date, and is focused on delivering Otter satellite servicing missions for SES, the U.S. Space Force, the Space Development Agency, NASA, and others.
Position Description Satellite servicing missions require autonomous, robotic actions in orbit. To fulfill our mission, Starfish developed the Otter servicing vehicle and the CEPHALOPOD guidance software to interact with and maximize the operational value of satellites. GNC Engineers at Starfish Space support the refinement of flight algorithms to autonomously guide satellites during rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD), and relies on guidance, navigation, and control skills. This engineer will do everything ranging from writing software, to developing autonomous flight algorithms, to testing and refining GNC software during breakthrough RPOD missions.
Qualifications
3+ years of experience with GNC, preferably in an aerospace context
Proficiency with astrodynamics
Working knowledge of satellite guidance and/or control
Programming experience in Python and/or C/C++
B.S. degree or equivalent in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field
Must be a US person (citizen, permanent resident, or designated refugee / asylee)
Willing to work from Tukwila, Washington
Capable of working a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment
ITAR Requirements To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.