--- title: 'Spacecraft Descent Guidance, Navigation, and Control System Engineer at ispace, inc.' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-descent-guidance-navigation-and-control-system-engineer-ispace-inc-znrx3w6f7bdz' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-08' --- # Spacecraft Descent Guidance, Navigation, and Control System Engineer at ispace, inc. - **Company:** ispace, inc. - **Location:** Tokyo, Japan - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-03-24 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/ispace-inc/08053e9d-cb73-44ff-9f3a-433a7db7e395 ## Job description ispace is looking for Spacecraft Descent Guidance, Navigation, and Control System Engineer to join our growing team in Tokyo. You will lead the end-to-end development of the lunar lander’s landing system—including design, verification, and operations—from the perspective of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) subsystem. Define requirements for the GNC subsystem, including sensors, software and other hardware components, and manage technical coordination and interface alignment with other subsystems. Manage the integrity and performance of GNC algorithms in the FSW development and deliverables. Support mission operations and preparation activities. 月着陸船の着陸系誘導航法制御サブシステムの観点から、着陸系GNCサブシステム全体開発（設計、検証、運用）を担当する。 センサー、ソフトウェアおよびその他のハードウェアコンポーネントを含む着陸系誘導航法制御サブシステムの要求定義、管理および各サブシステムとの技術調整、インターフェース調整を担当する。 各サブシステムとの技術調整、インターフェース調整を担当する。FSW開発および成果物におけるGNCアルゴリズムの完全性と性能を管理する。ミッション運用および準備活動を支援する。 Ideal candidate profile: The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in GNC subsystem development, including algorithm design, sensor modelling, and performance evaluation, as well as spacecraft systems engineering with failure mode analysis. The candidate is proficient in C/C++, Python, Git, and understands modern software development practices. The candidate has hands‑on experience with closed‑loop test frameworks (MIL/SIL/PIL/HIL), developing models and interfaces for IMUs, star trackers, LiDARs, cameras, and propulsion systems, along with direct involvement in system‑level spacecraft testing (SCLT, DOLT, DCLT). Proven capability in vision‑based navigation system development is essential. The candidate is proactive, collaborative, communicates effectively, and operates confidently in business‑level English. ## Key responsibilities (1) Oversee the entire lunar lander landing system, supporting end-to-end development—design, verification, and operations — from the perspective of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) subsystem. (2) Design the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) GNC functions and perform GNC-related analyses (such as guidance law design and analysis, control law design and performance analysis, thruster duty analysis, DV analysis, attitude dynamics analysis, sloshing and flexible dynamics, navigation filter design, covariance analysis, various GNC sensor evaluation, etc) by using control engineering tools and in-house developed software. (3) Plan, implement, and execute comprehensive verification and validation (V&V) activities for the landing system, spanning from component-level (GNC sensors) to system-level tests (SCLT, DOLT, DCLT). (4) Design frameworks for the GNC FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) and MCFMA (Mission Critical Fault and Mitigation Analysis) methodologies and execute fault scenarios for validating landing operations robustness. (5) Develop a deep understanding of GNC subsystem requirements, design, constraints, and operations — including vision-based navigation — and manage technical coordination and interfaces alignment with systems engineering and other subsystems (propulsion, structures, thermal, avionics, flight software, mission planning, and operations). (6) Define landing GNC flight software/algorithm requirement specifications (7) Define landing GNC unit specifications as flow-down of the GNC system requirements and design specifications. (8) Support lander system design with providing GNC feasibility studies and design inputs for the key system design trade-offs such as actuator and sensor configuration and selection, component layout, controllability, delta V, RCS budget, etc. (9) Support the selection, verification, and operational readiness of key orbiter system components — such as IMUs, star trackers, LiDARs, cameras and propulsion — from both technical and theoretical perspectives. (10) Design and support troubleshooting activities of GNC FSW algorithms and components and propose solutions to mitigate errors and misbehaviors in the GNC subsystem. (11) Document the technical specifications of the GNC subsystem with a deep understanding of the functions and relations with other subsystems. (1) 月着陸船の着陸システム全体を統括するエンジニアリングチームの一員として、主に誘導航法制御サブシステムの観点から、着陸系GNCサブシステム全体開発（設計、検証、運用）をサポートする。 (2) 着陸系誘導航法制御に関する設計解析（誘導制御則設計、制御性能解析、スラスタ制御解析、DV解析、姿勢力学解析、スロッシング、柔軟ダイナミクス解析、航法フィルタ設計、誤差共分散解析、GNCセンサ評価など）を制御工学ツールとインハウスソフトウェアを通して実施する。 (3) コンポーネントレベル（GNCセンサー）からシステムレベル（SCLT, DOLT, DCLT）までを含めた着陸システム全体のハードウェアを含めた検証および妥当性確認を計画、実装、実行する。 (4) FMECA（Faulure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis）およびMCFMA（Mission Critical Fault and Mitigation Analysis）に基づくシステムおよび着陸系GNCサブシステムのロバストな設計を行う。また、着陸運用における故障シミュレーションを含めた検証および妥当性確認を計画、実装、実行する。 (5) 着陸系GNCのフライトソフトウェア／アルゴリズムの要求仕様を定義する。 (6) 誘導航法制御サブシステム（GNCセンサー、画像航法システム含む）の要求、設計、制約、運用を深く理解し、システムズエンジニアリングチームおよび各サブシステム（推進、構造、熱、アビオニクス、フライトソフトウェア、飛行計画、運用）との技術調整およびインターフェース管理を行う。 (7) 着陸系GNCシステムの要件および設計仕様をもとに、着陸系GNCユニットの仕様を定義する。 (8) アクチュエータやセンサーの構成・選定、コンポーネントの配置、制御性、デルタV、RCS予算など、主要なシステム設計上のトレードオフに関するGNCの実現可能性調査および設計インプットを提供し、月着陸船システムの設計を支援する。 (9) 月着陸船軌道システムのキーとなるコンポーネント（IMU、スタートラッカー、LiDAR、カメラ）の選定、モデリング、検証、運用を技術的/理論的観点からサポートする。 (10) GNC FSWアルゴリズムおよびコンポーネントの設計とトラブルシューティング活動を支援し、GNCサブシステムにおけるエラーや誤動作を軽減する解決策を提案する。 (11) GNCサブシステムの技術仕様を、その機能および他サブシステムとの関連性を深く理解した上で文書化する。 ## Basic Qualifications ・5+ years of experience in developing Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) subsystems, including algorithms and sensors (modelling and performance evaluation) ・5+ years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering (including Failure mode analysis) ・Good understanding of software development process and usage of languages like C/C++, Python, as well as software control systems like Git. ・Experience in closed-loop frameworks (MIL, SIL, PIL, HIL, etc.) with proven experience in developing sensor/actuators models and interfaces such as  IMUs, star trackers, LiDARs, cameras and propulsion systems ・Hands-on experience with system-level testing for spacecraft (SCLT, DOLT, DCLT) ・Proven experience in vision-based navigation system development ・Strong sense of initiative, continuous improvement mindset, and ability to work effectively as a team player ・Excellent communication skills, Business level English communication skill ・5年以上の誘導航法制御サブシステムのアルゴリズムおよびセンサーの開発（モデリングおよび性能評価）経験を有すること ・5年以上の宇宙機のシステムズエンジニアリング（故障モード解析を含む）の経験を有すること ・ソフトウェア開発プロセス、C/C++、Pythonなどのプログラミング言語、およびGitなどのソフトウェア管理システムの使用方法に対する深い理解 ・閉ループフレームワーク（MIL、SIL、PIL、HILなど）の経験を有し、IMU、スタートラッカー、LiDAR、カメラ、推進システム等のセンサー/アクチュエータモデルおよびインターフェースの開発経験を有すること ・宇宙機のシステムレベル試験（SCLT, DOLT, DCLT）の経験を有すること ・画像航法システムの開発経験を有すること ・向上心と積極性、良いチームプレイヤーであること ・高いコミュニケーション能力を有すること ・ビジネスレベル以上の英語での意思疎通ができること ## Preferred qualifications ・10+ years of experience in developing Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) subsystems, including algorithms and sensors (modelling and performance evaluation) ・10+ years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering ・Proven experience in developing sensors such as laser range finders, LiDAR, and cameras ・Experience of software integration with different programming languages, C/C++, Python, Matlab, etc. ・Experience in real time FSW implementations ・Experience of MATLAB/Simulink ・Business level Japanese communication skill ・10年以上の誘導航法制御サブシステムのアルゴリズムおよびセンサーの開発（モデリングおよび性能評価）経験を有すること ・10年以上の宇宙機のシステムズエンジニアリングの経験を有すること ・レーザーレンジファインダー、LiDAR,、カメラ等のセンサーの開発経験を有すること ・MATLAB/Simulinkの使用経験 ・C/C++、Python、Matlabなど異なるプログラミング言語を用いたソフトウェア統合の経験 ・リアルタイムFSW実装の経験 ・ビジネスレベル以上の日本語での意思疎通ができること Others Support development studies of space vehicles for future missions ・将来ミッションのための宇宙機開発や実現性検討の支援 #LI-Hybrid ## About ispace, inc. ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: ispace is a global lunar exploration company developing high-frequency, low-cost transportation services to the Moon and building the foundation for a sustainable cislunar economy. - **Entity Type**: Public (listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2023) - **Headquarters**: Tokyo, Japan (with offices in Denver, Colorado, USA and Luxembourg) - **Founded**: September 2010 - **Founders**: Takeshi Hakamada (Founder & CEO) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Space exploration / Lunar transportation services - **Target customers**: B2B (space agencies, commercial payload operators, research organizations) - **Mission**: “Extend the sphere of human life into space and create a sustainable world by providing high-frequency, low-cost transportation services to the Moon.” ## Products & Services - **Lunar Lander Missions**: ispace designs, builds and operates robotic lunar landers. Current missions include “Mission 2.5” and the upcoming “Mission 3” featuring the new larger ULTRA lander. - **Payload Development & Integration**: Offers payload hosting and development services for lunar orbiting and landing missions. - **Lunar Surface Data**: Sale and survey of Moon surface data for research and commercial use. - **Space Resource R&D**: Research and development focused on utilizing lunar water resources. - **Marketing Support**: Supports space content industries with marketing services related to lunar activities. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed in provided sources (publicly listed, market cap fluctuates) - **Key Metric**: Total funding record – raised a record 10.35 billion yen in Series A in 2017 (private round). As a public company, revenue is reported but not listed in these materials. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: The company evolved from Team HAKUTO, a finalist in the Google Lunar XPRIZE. Global presence includes ispace technologies U.S. inc. and ispace Europe SA. - **Growth Signals**: - 317 employees as of March 31, 2025 - First Japanese space company to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (2023) - Multiple missions in the pipeline (Mission 2.5, Mission 3 with ULTRA lander) - Global offices in Japan, USA, and Luxembourg ## Competitive Advantages - **Early mover in commercial lunar services**: One of the few private companies with flight heritage (first mission launched in 2022). - **End‑to‑end lunar transportation**: Offers landers, payload integration, and data services – a vertically integrated lunar logistics provider. - **Global footprint**: Engineering and business presence across three continents enables access to diverse customers and talent. - **Heritage from Google Lunar XPRIZE**: Team HAKUTO experience provides technical and operational credibility. ## Strategic Focus ispace is focused on achieving high‑frequency, low‑cost lunar transportation to construct an Earth‑Moon economic zone. Key priorities include: - Launching Mission 2.5 and the larger ULTRA lander on Mission 3 - Developing space resource utilization (especially water on the Moon) - Expanding payload and data services to support a growing cislunar infrastructure - Scaling globally through its offices in Japan, the US, and Europe ## Why Work Here - **Diverse, inclusive culture**: As of December 2025, ispace reports ~24% non‑Japanese nationality and ~45% Japanese nationality, reflecting a commitment to global diversity. - **Mission‑driven team**: “Driven by a shared passion, our Crew of engineers, scientists and experts are shaping the future of space.” - **Work options**: Roles range from on‑site (Tokyo, Denver, Luxembourg) to hybrid (Tokyo CFO Office). Engineering roles include R&D, propulsion, GNC, and spacecraft systems. - **Fast‑growing organization**: 317 employees and growing, with a clear trajectory of missions and revenue expansion. - **Perks & culture**: Emphasis on inclusive hiring, professional development, and equitable pay; “true innovation comes when diverse viewpoints collaborate as equals.” ## Sources 1. [ispace Home Page](https://www.ispace-inc.com/) 2. [About Us – ispace](https://2022.ispace-inc.com/aboutus) 3. [Careers – ispace](https://www.ispace-inc.com/careers/) 4. [Career Overview – ispace](https://www.ispace-inc.com/career-overview/) 5. [Open Positions – ispace (Lever)](https://jobs.lever.co/ispace-inc) ## Other roles at ispace, inc. - [Cultural Development Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/cultural-development-specialist-ispace-inc-tokyo-drggmdfvwqbg) — Tokyo, Japan - [Senior Embedded Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-embedded-software-engineer-ispace-inc-tokyo-fgwwc6e7napr) — Tokyo, Japan - [Embedded Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-software-engineer-ispace-inc-tokyo-394fqkcg0qvq) — Tokyo, Japan - [Deputy Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/deputy-project-manager-ispace-inc-luxembourg-r3wpz7zd06m4) — Luxembourg - [Product Assurance Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/product-assurance-engineer-ispace-inc-luxembourg-a3dw8z8f5578) — Luxembourg - [General Affairs & Executive Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/general-affairs-executive-assistant-ispace-inc-luxembourg-28h1mht11hn3) — Luxembourg - [Senior Consolidated Accounting Officer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-consolidated-accounting-officer-ispace-inc-tokyo-0caghgk0q9nb) — Tokyo, Japan - [IT Analyst – Engineering Applications](https://feeny.ai/job/it-analyst-engineering-applications-ispace-inc-tokyo-6c9zbr1bn06v) — Tokyo, Japan - [Legal Counsel](https://feeny.ai/job/legal-counsel-ispace-inc-englewood-7v2q6j9mczb6) — Englewood, CO - [Structural Analysis Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/structural-analysis-engineer-ispace-inc-tokyo-y3t1v37s4jxf) — Tokyo, Japan