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Spacecraft Attitude Control Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Spacecraft Engineer will join a team of engineers dedicated to maintaining the health and ... Previous experience with spacecraft attitude control subsystems, planning or executing spacecraft ...

The Spacecraft Engineer will join a team of engineers dedicated to maintaining the health and ... Previous experience with spacecraft attitude control subsystems, planning or executing spacecraft ...

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 ...

The Spacecraft Engineer will join a team of engineers dedicated to maintaining the health and ... Previous experience with spacecraft attitude control subsystems, planning or executing spacecraft ...

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 ...

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 ...

Senior Controls Engineer (PAT)

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$102K - $135K/yr

As a Senior Acquisition, Tracking & Pointing Controls Engineer, you will lead the development of ... Direct experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control systems or optical payload ...

Senior GNC Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$138K - $208K/yr

About the Role Muon seeks a talented Spacecraft Attitude Control System (ACS) AKA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) hardware engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate has experience or is ...

Showing results 41-60

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 11, 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, 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 $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Spacecraft Aerospace Engineer

Las Cruces, NM

Peraton
IT Services • 10K+ employees

$51K - $82K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Peraton rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Responsibilities

Peraton has an opening for a Spacecraft Engineer at the White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, NM. The Spacecraft Engineer will join a team of engineers dedicated to maintaining the health and safety of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) fleet.

 

Peraton is the prime contractor for NASA at the White Sands Complex (WSC) near Las Cruces, New Mexico. Operating here are two functionally identical satellite ground terminals: The White Sands Ground Terminal, and the Second TDRSS Ground Terminal. These ground terminals ensure uninterrupted communications between various ground stations, NASA's orbiting fleet of Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), customer spacecraft (satellites), and the computer systems that support such spacecraft. WSC serves as an interface for distributing satellite data to control centers and scientists who then use the daily influx of data to expand our ever-growing knowledge of the Earth and the universe.

 

This position will be responsible for the following: 

  • Perform daily monitoring and trending of TDRS spacecraft state-of-health data.
  • Perform mission planning on assigned spacecraft to include geosynchronous station-keeping and station relocation maneuvers, momentum wheel unloading activities, and decommissioning events such as depletion of remaining onboard fuel and component passivation.
  • Develop and validate procedures used by operations personnel for execution of various mission planning activities.
  • Lead spacecraft operations activities as a Test Conductor, providing engineering guidance to the Satellite Controllers as well as second-person verification for all commands transmitted to the spacecraft.
  • Analyze and identify spacecraft anomaly root causes. Plan and execute anomaly recovery actions.
  • Investigate and resolve any assigned spacecraft discrepancy reports.
  • Provide on-the-job training to peers as experience is gained.
  • Occasional work during nights or weekends is required when directing irregular activities, providing launch support, or assisting with anomaly recoveries.
  • Perform short-term ephemeris propagation on assigned spacecraft and produce various predictive reports for operations reference to include eclipse and intrusion events, ground antenna look angles and RF intrusion events, and spacecraft to celestial body look angles.
  • Conduct long-term ephemeris propagation on assigned spacecraft using Systems Tool Kit (STK) to ensure the integrity of various orbital characteristics such as inclination, eccentricity, and altitude as well as determine look angles and access to several ground sites.
  • Become familiar with configuring flight simulation software/hardware for the purposes of training, anomaly replication, and procedure execution proficiency.
Qualifications

Required:

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
  • At least 2 years of experience working in spacecraft operations.
  • Security clearance - this position requires the candidate to be able to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance and to maintain the clearance thereafter.
  • You must be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship.
  • Must be able to maintain ability to access government worksite.

Desired:

  • Active Secret security clearance.
  • MS degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience working in spacecraft operations.
  • Previous experience with spacecraft attitude control subsystems, planning or executing spacecraft maneuvers, and performing data trending/analysis.
  • Previous experience with Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) is a plus.
  • Proficiency with Systems Tool Kit (STK), Python, Visual Basic, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.
  • Experience using Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) tools for data analysis.
  • Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with peers and management.
  • Proficient with MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 
Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$51,000 - $82,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017