ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Spacecraft Attitude Control Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Argo Space Corp

GNC Engineer II

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

As a GNC Engineer at Argo, you will be a member of the team architecting the full simulation and ... Select and size actuators and sensors to support spacecraft attitude control * Negotiate ...

New

Muon Space

GNC Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$124K - $189K/yr

About the Role Muon seeks a talented Spacecraft Attitude Control System (ACS) AKA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) engineer specializing in attitude control design to join our team. The ideal ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsTravel JobsAviation JobsAerospace Engineer JobsSpacecraft Attitude Control Engineer Jobs

Spacecraft Attitude Control Engineer information

See salary details

$42K

$108.6K

$165K

How much do spacecraft attitude control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for spacecraft attitude control engineer in the United States is $108,638.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a spacecraft attitude control engineer do?

A Spacecraft Attitude Control Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the systems that control the orientation of a spacecraft in space, known as its attitude. They ensure that the spacecraft can accurately point its instruments, solar panels, and antennas as required for missions. This involves working with sensors, actuators, and control algorithms to maintain stability and respond to commands from ground control. Their work is crucial for mission success, as precise attitude control is needed for navigation, communications, and data collection.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a spacecraft attitude control engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Spacecraft Attitude Control Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, control theory, and dynamics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation tools (such as MATLAB/Simulink), spacecraft sensors and actuators, and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems is essential. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective teamwork skills help engineers address complex challenges and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure precise spacecraft orientation, mission safety, and the overall success of space missions.

What are the typical challenges faced by a spacecraft attitude control engineer during a mission?

Spacecraft Attitude Control Engineers often encounter challenges such as dealing with unexpected disturbances in space, sensor or actuator malfunctions, and ensuring precise pointing accuracy for scientific instruments or communications. They must also adapt control algorithms in real-time to compensate for fuel limitations, system wear, or anomalies. Collaboration with other engineering teams, such as propulsion and mission operations, is key to resolving these issues quickly and maintaining mission objectives.

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

AspectSpacecraft Attitude Control EngineerSatellite Systems Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and implementing attitude control systems to orient spacecraft accuratelyDesigning overall satellite systems, including power, communication, and payload integration
Required CredentialsEngineering degree in aerospace or related field, knowledge of control systemsEngineering degree, broad knowledge of satellite subsystems
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, spacecraft development facilities, mission control centersSatellite manufacturing plants, ground station operations, design offices
Industry UsageUsed in spacecraft missions requiring precise orientation, such as telescopes or communication satellitesUsed in satellite development projects for various applications including communications, Earth observation

While both roles require aerospace engineering knowledge, the Spacecraft Attitude Control Engineer specializes in orientation systems, whereas the Satellite Systems Engineer oversees the entire satellite platform. Both roles are vital in satellite development but focus on different technical aspects.

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

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

Infographic showing various Spacecraft Attitude Control Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

GNC Engineer II

El Segundo, CA • On-site

Argo Space Corp
See more jobs at Argo Space Corpexternal

$150 - $200/hr

Other

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

As a GNC Engineer at Argo, you will be a member of the team architecting the full simulation and flight control stack for Argo's refuellable in-space transport vehicles and other space systems. You will help drive the overall spacecraft system architecture, execute vehicle design and higher-level transportation system trade studies, and implement the spacecraft’s attitude determination, trajectory optimization, guidance, and control systems. You will actively contribute to the full life cycle of GNC development at Argo, from early architectural decisions and design through to hardware in the loop testing, on-vehicle functionality, and flight operations. This will include development of Argo’s high fidelity multi-degree of freedom simulation and test framework, supporting Monte Carlo analyses, and the development of the core GNC algorithms that fly our spacecraft.

Responsibilities
  • Drive mission performance for Argo’s high-deltaV, refuellable transport spacecraft to make in-space transportation abundant and affordable
  • Drive rapid execution and iteration efforts that put our spacecraft in orbit quickly
  • Hands-on prototyping, troubleshooting, and testing of simulations, flight algorithms, and hardware in the loop testing
  • Develop simulation and modeling tools to support vehicle and GNC trade studies
  • Develop novel algorithms for low thrust trajectory optimization, RPOD, and spacecraft attitude control and orbit determination
  • Select and size actuators and sensors to support spacecraft attitude control
  • Negotiate requirements by having a deep understanding of the company and mission objectives and providing alternative solutions
  • Conduct design reviews, test readiness reviews, and flight readiness reviews with a heavy emphasis on technical excellence
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering or physics discipline
  • Capable of maintaining flexibility in direction under changing circumstances
  • Track record of delivering novel, excellent technical products
  • Demonstrated knowledge in designing, modeling, testing, and flying aerospace guidance, navigation, and control systems
  • Understanding of orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development and modeling skills, particularly in C / C++ / Python
  • Proven system engineering and configuration management skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • 1+ years of experience designing spacecraft control systems, algorithms, or trajectories
  • 2+ years of experience designing complex control systems that operate in harsh environments (autonomous vehicles, drones, spacecraft, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with GMAT, AGI STK/Astrogator, FreeFlyer or similar trajectory design, analysis, and optimization tools
  • Demonstrated experience with clean sheet GNC, simulation, software development, and conceptual spacecraft design, actuator sizing, and attitude determination and control
  • Experience with spacecraft on-orbit operations
  • Experience with rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking
#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply