--- title: 'Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer at Quantum Space' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-gnc-integration-test-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-92f2jcrt0k65' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-06' --- # Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer at Quantum Space - **Company:** Quantum Space - **Location:** Rockville, MD - **Posted:** 2026-07-27 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4330321009 ## Job description Who We're Looking For Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly. We are seeking a Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer to lead integration, verification, validation, and hardware testing of the Guidance, Navigation & Control subsystem. In this role, you will own GNC hardware integration, anomaly resolution, and subsystem verification from component integration through flight acceptance. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working where simulation meets flight hardware. Where You'll Make an Impact - Own integration, verification, validation, and flight acceptance of the spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) subsystem from engineering development through spacecraft delivery. - Develop, document, execute, and automate GNC verification procedures supporting subsystem, system, qualification, acceptance, and environmental testing. - Plan and execute GNC hardware characterization and calibration activities, including inertial sensor characterization (Allan variance, bias instability, and angular random walk), sensor alignment, timing synchronization and phasing, and spacecraft magnetic characterization campaigns. - Develop and operate Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), FlatSat, and closed-loop simulation environments to verify flight software and spacecraft behavior. - Integrate and validate spacecraft sensors, actuators, avionics, propulsion, and flight software while troubleshooting hardware, software, and system-level anomalies. - Correlate high-fidelity simulation results with hardware test data to validate GNC algorithms, dynamic models, estimation performance, and control system behavior. - Perform Monte Carlo analyses and mission-level performance assessments to verify spacecraft operating modes, robustness, and requirements compliance across expected uncertainties and disturbances. - Analyze spacecraft telemetry and test data to identify root cause, recommend corrective actions, and improve GNC subsystem performance throughout integration, environmental test, and flight operations. - Develop verification evidence supporting requirements closure and participate in technical reviews. - Collaborate closely with systems, flight software, avionics, propulsion, mission design, and mission operations teams to deliver a fully verified and flight-ready spacecraft. What It Takes - B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field. - 3–8+ years of experience in spacecraft or high-reliability GNC development. - Strong foundation in rigid-body dynamics, and classical/modern control theory. - Experience with sensor fusion for spacecraft-relevant sensors (IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, GNSS, ranging sensors). - Experience developing, documenting, executing, and following formal test procedures and verification plans - Hands-on experience testing attitude control system hardware and ability to troubleshoot issues encountered during integration and test activities - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret technical data and recommend corrective actions - Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary engineering teams, with strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate technical issues and risks. - Proficiency with engineering analysis and simulation tools such as C++, MATLAB/Simulink, Python. - Experience conducting Monte Carlo analyses to verify spacecraft operating modes, mission performance, and system robustness under varying conditions and uncertainties. - Ability to operate in a fast-paced, hardware-integrated environment with shifting priorities. Nice-to-Have Experience - Hands-on experience with testbeds, HITL environments, or closed-loop simulation frameworks. - Experience supporting spacecraft integration, verification, validation, and environmental testing - Experience with requirements verification and validation using systems engineering processes. - Knowledge of aerospace industry standards and best practices for spacecraft testing and verification. - Experience with RPO, proximity operations, autonomous maneuver planning, or high-ΔV vehicle dynamics. - Familiarity with MAX FSW and MAX GDS or other modern COTS flight software environments. - Experience with EKF variants, covariance analysis, or nonlinear control approaches. - Background with thruster-based ACS, high-agility control architectures, or propulsion-coupled dynamics. - Experience analyzing 6DOF models incorporating propellant slosh and flexible-body dynamics. - Experience with fault management logic, safing modes, and on-orbit anomaly investigation. - Prior experience working in fast-paced startups or NewSpace organizations. ## What You'll Get - Ownership – Build and validate the GNC capability that defines how our spacecraft maneuver, point, and operate autonomously. - Innovation – Shape next-generation GNC architectures, algorithms, and tools for high-agility missions. - Impact – Directly influence spacecraft controllability, autonomy, and mission success across cislunar and GEO operations. - Growth – Collaborate across avionics, FSW, systems, and mission ops, with opportunities to expand into dynamics modeling, autonomy, or flight operations. - Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation. Location: Rockville, MD Base Salary: $130,000 - $180,000 The salary range for this role is determined based on a variety of factors including work experience, education, technical expertise, certifications, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package. Additional Requirements To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft. ## About Quantum Space ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Quantum Space is building the next generation of advanced, maneuverable spacecraft (the Ranger platform) to disrupt the orbital economy by reducing the cost of operating across every orbit the nation needs to hold, from LEO through GEO and out to cislunar space. - **Entity Type**: Private (going public via merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI; anticipated ticker QSPC) - **Headquarters**: Rockville, Maryland, United States - **Founded**: 2022 - **Founders**: Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (Executive Chairman & Co-founder), Ben Reed (Chief Technology Officer), Adarsh Parekh (President & Co-founder), Kerry Wisnosky (Co-founder) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Defense and Space Manufacturing, National Security Space, Cislunar Infrastructure - **Target customers**: Primarily Government (U.S. national security space agencies, Space Force, NASA, DARPA) - **Mission or purpose statement**: To enable the freedom to maneuver in space for the United States, providing a maneuver-first architecture engineered for multi-orbit operations at scale. ## Products & Services - **Ranger Spacecraft Platform**: A highly maneuverable orbital transfer and servicing platform. Key specs include up to 4,000+ kg of storable hydrazine, multi-mode propulsion, a 15-year operational life, on-orbit refueling capability, and a modular payload architecture. It is designed to reach GEO and beyond at up to 70% lower cost than conventional architectures. - **Space Domain Awareness**: Providing ubiquitous awareness of activities on orbit, delivering actionable intelligence. - **Payload Hosting & Data Services**: A standardized platform capable of being configured for any mission at any orbit, hosting government and commercial payloads. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed for the private company; the SPAC merger agreement values the combined entity, but specific valuation is not publicly available. - **Key Metric**: $88M+ in secured government contracts. Total funding of $56.1M across 6 prior funding rounds. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI (SPAC merger partner); Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (also founded Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR), X-energy (NASDAQ: XE), Axiom Space); Jim Bridenstine (CEO, former NASA Administrator). - **Growth Signals**: Aggressive hiring with 31 active job postings and +158.3% monthly job posting growth; acquired Phase Four's multi-mode propulsion assets in September 2025; constructing a manufacturing facility at Tulsa International Airport; awarded a DARPA LASSO contract; going public via SPAC merger. ## Competitive Advantages - **Massive Fuel Capacity & Maneuverability**: 4,000+ kg of storable fuel is significantly more than current spacecraft, and the multi-mode propulsion allows for speed, efficiency, and flexibility across all orbits. - **Refuelable & Modular Architecture**: Designed for on-orbit refueling and a modular payload system, enabling long-duration missions (15 years) and rapid reconfiguration. - **Deep IP Moat**: 17 issued and pending patents protecting the core technology. - **Cost Disruption**: Claims up to 70% cost reduction for operations beyond LEO and up to 10x+ launch cost savings compared to conventional architectures. - **National Security Focus**: Deeply embedded with U.S. Space Command and national security priorities, with leadership that includes former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and a 40-year Missile Defense Agency veteran. ## Strategic Focus - **Golden Dome / National Security**: The company's Ranger spacecraft is positioned as a key platform for the proposed "Golden Dome" national security space architecture. - **SPAC Merger & Public Listing**: Completing the merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI to go public under the ticker QSPC. - **Manufacturing Expansion**: Building out manufacturing capacity in Tulsa, OK, and Huntsville, AL, to scale production of the Ranger platform. - **Cislunar Operations**: Developing capabilities for operations in cislunar space, including winning the DARPA LASSO contract. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-Driven**: The company is focused on a critical national security mission, offering employees a chance to work on technology that directly impacts U.S. space superiority. - **High Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly scaling from a startup to a public company, with aggressive hiring, new facility construction, and major government contracts. - **Flexible Work Environment**: The company emphasizes work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements. Roles are available across multiple locations (Rockville, MD; Huntsville, AL; Hawthorne, CA; Tulsa, OK). - **Competitive Compensation**: Offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, generous leave (including parental leave), FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing. - **Tight-Knit Team**: Described as a fast-paced, tight-knit team of engineers and scientists, offering exposure to the full lifecycle of mission development, launch, and operations. ## Sources 1. [quantumspace.us](https://www.quantumspace.us/) 2. [quantumspace.us/about](https://www.quantumspace.us/about) 3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantumspace-us) 4. [investors.quantumspace.us](https://investors.quantumspace.us/) 5. 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