Senior GNC Controls Engineer

Astranis · San Francisco

Engineering San Francisco Posted May 22, 2026 140,000 – 230,000 USD

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe— large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.

Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Senior GNC Controls Engineer

As a Controls Engineer on the GNC team, you will own control algorithms from design through to operation in orbit, and you will develop tooling to analyze and tune our existing controllers.

Role

Design, implement, and test closed-loop control algorithms for precise pointing, station-keeping, detumble, and desaturation maneuvers for satellites in orbit
Develop and maintain high-fidelity satellite simulations to validate GNC control algorithms prior to flight
Validate and verify algorithm performance through software simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, hardware in the loop, and on-orbit testing
Perform stability analysis in both time and frequency domains, including gain tuning, margin assessment, and notch filter design for structural flex modes
Support system identification efforts using in-orbit telemetry to refine onboard models and improve controller performance
Ability to effectively collaborate with interdisciplinary teams on large projects
Develop operational procedures and provide mission planning support
Support GNC operations for our fleet of satellites, including on-console and on-call rotations
Support in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly growing team

Requirements

B.S. or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
5+ years of industry experience in GNC, controls, or a closely adjacent discipline
Strong fundamentals in classical and modern control theory, including frequency-domain analysis (Bode plots, Nyquist, gain/phase margins)
Experience designing and implementing closed-loop control systems for dynamic systems
Experience with gain optimization, linearization, and controls tooling development
Demonstrated experience modeling flexible body dynamics and mitigating their effects through system design and control systems
Proficiency in Python for algorithm development and simulation
Experience with modern C++ for on-board software
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, iterative environment
US Citizenship or Green Card
Don't meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria

Bonus

Direct experience with spacecraft attitude control systems (reaction wheels, thrusters, gimbals)
Understanding of orbital mechanics and geostationary stationkeeping strategies
Familiarity with electric or chemical propulsion-based control (e.g., stationkeeping, momentum management maneuvers)
Background in estimation theory or Kalman filtering for attitude/orbit determination
Hands-on experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing or real-time simulation environments
Experience supporting live satellite operations or anomaly resolution
Experience with AI tooling and agentic workflows

What we offer:

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.

Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on-site catered meals.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

Base Salary

$140,000—$230,000 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.

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