ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Satellite Attitude Determination Control Engineer Jobs

E-Space

Senior GNC Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer to take a key role in the design, development, simulation, and testing of our satellites' attitude determination and control ...

Outpost

Senior GNC Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$160K - $205K/yr

Senior GNC Engineer Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) The return ... Demonstrated project or professional experience in satellite attitude determination and control

Outpost

Principal GNC Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

Principal GNC Engineer Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) The return ... Demonstrated project or professional experience in satellite attitude determination and control

E-Space

Senior GNC Engineer

Saratoga, CA

$150K - $200K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer to take a key role in the design, development, simulation, and testing of our satellites' attitude determination and control ...

E-Space

Senior GNC Engineer

Arlington, TX · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer to take a key role in the design, development, simulation, and testing of our satellites' attitude determination and control ...

E-Space

Senior GNC Engineer

Arlington, TX · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer to take a key role in the design, development, simulation, and testing of our satellites' attitude determination and control ...

Outpost

Principal GNC Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Principal GNC Engineer Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) The return ... Demonstrated project or professional experience in satellite attitude determination and control

Outpost

Principal GNC Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Principal GNC Engineer Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) The return ... Demonstrated project or professional experience in satellite attitude determination and control

Outpost

Senior GNC Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $205K/yr

Senior GNC Engineer Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) The return ... Demonstrated project or professional experience in satellite attitude determination and control

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsTechnology JobsTelecommunications JobsSatellite Attitude Determination Control Engineer Jobs

Satellite Attitude Determination Control Engineer information

See salary details

$36K

$81K

$126.5K

How much do satellite attitude determination control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for satellite attitude determination control engineer in the United States is $81,001.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $97,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a satellite attitude determination control engineer do?

A Satellite Attitude Determination Control Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and testing systems that control a satellite's orientation in space. They ensure the satellite points in the correct direction so its instruments, antennas, and solar panels function properly. This involves working with sensors, actuators, control algorithms, and ground testing. These engineers play a crucial role in mission success by maintaining precise satellite positioning during all phases of its operation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a satellite attitude determination control engineer?

To thrive as a Satellite Attitude Determination Control Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, control systems, and orbital mechanics, typically with at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field. Familiarity with MATLAB, Simulink, STK, and programming languages like C/C++ is crucial, along with experience using sensors, actuators, and simulation environments. Exceptional problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills enable you to address complex technical challenges and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure the precise orientation and stability of satellites, which is essential for mission success and spacecraft safety.

What are some common challenges faced by satellite attitude determination control engineers when working on multi-satellite missions?

Satellite Attitude Determination Control Engineers often encounter unique challenges during multi-satellite missions, such as ensuring precise coordination and maintaining reliable communication between satellites. Managing the increased complexity of attitude control algorithms and mitigating the risk of interference or collision are essential. Additionally, engineers must carefully calibrate sensors and actuators across all satellites to achieve synchronized maneuvers, often working closely with systems engineers and mission operators to troubleshoot issues in real-time. These challenges require strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly to dynamic mission requirements.

What is the difference between Satellite Attitude Determination Control Engineer vs Satellite Systems Engineer?

AspectSatellite Attitude Determination Control EngineerSatellite Systems Engineer
Primary FocusAttitude control, orientation, and stabilization of satellitesOverall satellite system design, integration, and performance
Required SkillsControl systems, sensors, actuators, orbital mechanicsSystems engineering, communication, power systems, subsystems integration
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, satellite development projects, aerospace companiesSatellite design teams, aerospace firms, mission planning

While both roles are involved in satellite development, the Satellite Attitude Determination Control Engineer specializes in the satellite's orientation and stabilization systems, whereas the Satellite Systems Engineer oversees the entire satellite system integration and performance. The former focuses more on control algorithms and sensors, while the latter manages broader system design and functionality.

What are popular job titles related to Satellite Attitude Determination Control Engineer jobs?

For Satellite Attitude Determination Control Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Satellite Attitude Determination Control Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,001 per year, or $38.9 per hour.

Senior GNC Engineer

Saratoga, CA • On-site

E-Space
See more jobs at E-Spaceexternal

$100K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 23 hours ago

Job description

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure and actionable? Then you've come to the right place!

E-Space is bridging Earth and space to enable hyper-scaled deployments of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system that will fundamentally change the design, economics, manufacturing and service delivery associated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.

We're intentional, we're unapologetically curious and we're 100% committed to innovate space-based communications and deliver actionable intelligence that will expand global economies, protect space and our planet and enhance our overall quality of life.

We are seeking a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer to take a key role in the design, development, simulation, and testing of our satellites' attitude determination and control system. The role centers on developing, tuning, and validating mission-critical estimation and control algorithms, and on building and maintaining high-fidelity GNC simulation models and tools - running simulation campaigns and analyzing their results to verify system performance. The role requires strong fluency in simulation tools, relevant software languages, and modern development practices. This position is based in our Saratoga, CA office. 
What you will do:

  • Design, implement, tune, and test satellite attitude estimation and control algorithms. 

  • Develop, maintain, and expand high-fidelity 6-DOF GNC simulation tools, including dynamics, environment, sensor, and actuator models. 

  • Define and run model/software-in-the-loop and Monte Carlo simulation campaigns and build the data processing and analysis tools to assess GNC performance from simulation and flight telemetry. 

  • Participate in GNC software integration into the real-time flight software stack, and support hardware-in-the-loop testing. 

  • Apply rigorous software development and configuration management practices, leveraging modern tooling including AI-assisted development workflows. 

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide GNC domain expertise and support operations. 

  • Contribute to engineering reviews and produce clear, detailed technical documentation and test reports. 

What you bring to this role:

  • BS + 6 years / MS + 4 years / PhD + 2 years in Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent, with professional work experience in GNC or another relevant field. 

  • Proven experience owning the design and deployment of advanced control algorithms in safety-critical applications such as aerospace or ground vehicles, including classical, optimal, and robust control. 

  • Experience working with estimation algorithms - comfortable tuning, updating, and validating Kalman filters and related sensor fusion - for attitude determination or similar applications. 

  • Experience developing and tuning GNC models of actuators, sensors, kinematics/dynamics, and environment. 

  • Experience with model-based validation of end-to-end control systems, from stability analysis and model/software-in-the-loop simulations to Monte Carlo campaigns and hardware-in-the-loop testing. 

  • Hands-on experience with C/C++, Python, Git, and Linux, and Matlab/Simulink, with strong practical skills in building, debugging, and testing complex software and algorithms. 

  • Strong initiative, with excellent teamwork, communication, and documentation skills; comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment. 

Bonus points:

  • Hands-on familiarity with attitude sensor and actuator hardware (IMUs, magnetometers, GNSS receivers, star cameras, reaction wheels, magnetorquers, etc.): hardware characteristics, testing, and calibration. 

  • Experience with space industry practices: design, qualification, acceptance, integration, and operations. 

  • Experience using AI/LLM tools to accelerate development, analysis, and documentation, with sound judgment about their limits. 

Additional Requirements
This is a fast-paced, high-impact environment - flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods is expected.
$150,000 - $200,000 a year

This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga office.  The target base pay for this position is $100,000 - $200,000 annually.  The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 
 
We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used-so we're looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that's your experience - then we'll be immediately wow-ed.
 
E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

Why E-Space is right for you:

As a member of our team, you will play a crucial role in driving our success.  Our team members have a strong sense of dedication and responsibility; this includes a strong commitment to our mission to create an entirely new suite of global capabilities to improve lives, business efficiencies and build a smarter planet. This means that there will be times when extra hours, including nights and weekends, may be needed to meet critical deadlines and mission goals.  In return, we offer a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a high-growth industry.  

We want you to make the most of your journey at E-Space. That's why we support and invest in the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our team members and their families. Some of what you can expect when working at E-Space:

An opportunity to really make a difference
Sustainability at our core
Fair and honest workplace
Innovative thinking is encouraged
Competitive salaries
Continuous learning and development
Health and wellness care options
Financial solutions for the future
Optional legal services (US only)
Paid holidays
Paid time off

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
apply for this job

Apply