SpaceX
GNC Engineer - Embedded Controls (Starlink)
About this role
SpaceX seeks a GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineer to design and implement embedded control systems for Starlink satellites, including attitude control, propulsion management, and electromechanical actuators. You'll move from analysis through simulation and flight code to actual on-orbit deployment and operations.
What you'll do
- Design and implement closed-loop control systems for satellite attitude, solar arrays, antenna gimbals, and propulsion
- Develop state estimation algorithms and optimal filtering for mechanical alignment and attitude determination
- Create high-fidelity simulations in C++, Python, and MATLAB and integrate them into collaborative tools
- Specify hardware requirements, support firmware bring-up, qualification testing, and production screening
- Write, validate, and deploy production C++ flight software for GNC subsystems
- Provide engineering review and fleet performance monitoring across the Starlink constellation
What they're looking for
- C++ software development
- Closed-loop control system design (state space and frequency domain)
- Orbital mechanics and rigid body dynamics
- Kalman filtering and state estimation
- MATLAB/Python simulation and modeling
- Embedded systems and firmware development
- Flexible body dynamics and finite element analysis
- Spacecraft operations and flight software deployment
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SpaceX
SpaceX develops advanced spacecraft and satellite systems, including the Starshield government satellite constellation and Starfall re-entry cargo capsule for global delivery. The company is hiring engineers in avionics integration, software test automation, mechanical design, and hardware reliability to validate flight-critical systems and ensure mission success.
- Website
- spacex.com
Likely interview questions
- Walk us through a closed-loop control system you designed end-to-end—what were the key trade-offs and how did you validate stability?
- Describe your experience with Kalman filters or state estimators in a real application; how did you tune or validate them?