Staff ADCS/GNC Engineer

Location: This role is based on site at our Louisville, Colorado office, with the option to work two days a week remotely.
Travel: Up to 5%, domestic or international.
Job ID: 576

About Capella

Capella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella’s culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthen global stability and security. Team members work side-by-side with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations.

Capella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella’s ability to innovate and deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.

The Role

As a Staff Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of the Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) and Propulsion subsystems for a constellation of radar imaging spacecraft and future quantum space missions. You will serve as a cognizant engineer for GNC hardware and software. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers to ensure existing spacecraft meet their mission objectives and to design and develop next- generation systems. Your work will have a direct impact on spacecraft performance and the overall technical success of Capella. 

This role sits in the Spacecraft Engineering organization, alongside systems, thermal, electrical/harnessing, mechanical/deployables, radar/communications, and flight software engineers.

Responsibilities

• Drive the full lifecycle for ADCS and Propulsion systems supporting a constellation of spacecraft: design, build, test, on-orbit operations, and decommissioning.
• Generate and own ADCS and Propulsion systems performance requirements to satisfy high-level mission objectives.
• Lead research and development for new spacecraft subsystems, working from first principles to develop and execute complex trade studies, conduct system sizing and design, and present at program-level design reviews.
• Be a technical authority on control theory. Design and implement state estimators and control algorithms for the localization and pointing of cutting-edge quantum missions and radar-imaging spacecraft.
• Develop custom software tools to automate engineering workflows, support design studies, and enhance spacecraft on-orbit operational efficiency.
• Build high fidelity software simulations to model spacecraft dynamics and system behavior.
• Act as a subject matter expert for all things ADCS and Propulsion.
• Serve as the technical contact for external ADCS and Propulsion vendors and partners and keep informed of the broader industry landscape.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience with GNC, ADCS, or control systems, on spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or UAVs/drones.
• Solid understanding of state estimation/filtering and applications.
• Solid understanding of rigid body and flexible dynamics.
• Demonstrated leadership of hardware development projects.
• Familiarity with orbital dynamics and the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space environment.
• Familiarity with a scripting language such as Python or MATLAB.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Familiarity with GNC/ADCS hardware: star trackers, sun sensors, reaction wheels, torque rods, control moment gyroscopes, propulsion systems, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, GPS, etc.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or C/C++, and experience developing software for flight applications.
• Experience dealing with unknowns, quantifying risk, navigating uncertainty, and handling the pressure of a real-time operating environment.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and cross-functionally.
• Enjoyment of learning and teaching new skills.

Compensation 

The approximate base salary range for this position is $145,920 - $181,949. The total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits available on our career site. 

Benefits/Perks 

In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options.
• Stock option grants for new hires 
• 401K Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Generous Parental Leave 
• Paid Flexible Time Off Policy 
• Lifestyle Spending Account 
• Commuter & Parking Benefits 
• Mental Health Resources 
• Monthly Phone Stipend 
• Daily provided lunches and stocked kitchens. 
• Furry friends? We’ve got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify [email protected] 

To learn more about us, explore our site: https://www.capellaspace.com/  and follow us on X and LinkedIn to see our SAR imagery!