Magma Space · 2 months ago
Lead Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Engineer
DC-Baltimore Area
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
3+ years expMagma Space is on a mission to deliver precise spacecraft pointing and enhance satellite capabilities through innovative control actuators and AI-enhanced software. The Lead GNC Engineer will design, develop, and test complex control systems for satellite subsystems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate GNC systems with spacecraft hardware.
Aerospace
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Design, develop, and test advanced GNC algorithms for autonomous spacecraft operations, including attitude control, orbit determination, and trajectory optimization
Integrate AI/ML models with sensor and actuator data to enable adaptive, high-accuracy pointing and autonomous navigation
Develop and validate mission-level simulations to show the benefits of operating maglev actuators
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate GNC systems with spacecraft hardware, avionics, and mission software
Create simulation environments and test frameworks (SIL/HIL) to validate GNC algorithms in realistic scenarios
Analyze flight data and lab results to improve algorithm performance and system reliability
Document algorithm designs, test procedures, and validation results
Take initiative as a self-starter, driving key autonomy efforts with minimal oversight
Stay current on state-of-the-art GNC technologies, AI applications in aerospace, and advanced control systems
Represent Magma Space in meetings with external stakeholders, whether technical partners, customers, investors or others
Contribute to funding applications, for instance government grant awards, accelerators, contracts and more
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science or a related field
3-10 years of experience working in industry on controls development, ideally with code that has flown on a spacecraft
Thorough understanding of the fundamentals behind control theory (e.g., translation matrices, quaternions, dynamics and control methods)
Proficient in the use of simulation tools (e.g., STK, MATLAB) or in-house software for satellite control simulations
Must be a team player with excellent collaboration and communication skills
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Self-starter mentality with a proactive approach to tasks and challenges
Must be a US citizen or national, US permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the US as a refugee or granted asylum
Benefits
401(k)
Health insurance with dental and vision
Paid vacation
Paid sick leave
Paid holidays
Paid parental leave
Free gym on site
Flexible work schedule
Relocation assistance
Company
Magma Space
Magma Space is developing cutting-edge control systems to achieve unmatched aiming accuracy.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$0.02MKey Investors
Techstars
2023-09-11Pre Seed· $0.02M
Leadership Team
Jordan Handler
COO, Co-founder
Recent News
2025-07-16
Company data provided by crunchbase