SpaceX
GNC Engineer, Starlink Controls (Starlink)
About this role
SpaceX seeks a GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineer to design and implement robust control systems for Starlink satellites, including attitude control, electromechanical actuators, and propulsion management. You'll move from simulation and analysis through flight code implementation to on-orbit operations across the world's largest satellite constellation.
What you'll do
- Design and implement electromechanical control systems for solar arrays, antenna gimbals, and active optics
- Develop satellite attitude control and momentum management systems
- Engineer fluid and power system controls for Hall thrusters
- Perform state estimation for mechanical alignment and attitude determination
- Specify hardware performance, support firmware integration, testing, and fleet monitoring
- Build high-fidelity simulations in C++, Python, and MATLAB; implement and validate production flight software
What they're looking for
- C++ software development
- Closed-loop control system design and analysis
- State space and frequency domain methods
- Kalman filtering and state estimation
- Embedded systems and firmware development
- Orbital mechanics and rigid body dynamics
- MATLAB, Python, and simulation tools
- Spacecraft operations and flight software deployment
Benefits
- Health, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
- Long-term equity incentives and employee stock purchase plan
- Short and long-term disability and life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- 3+ weeks paid vacation annually
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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—what were the key challenges in tuning and validation?
- Describe your experience implementing embedded C++ for real-time control firmware, and how you ensured robustness in flight-critical code.