GNC Engineer

About the role

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for spacecraft attitude and orbit control
• Build high-fidelity simulations to model spacecraft dynamics, sensors, and actuators
• Develop state estimation algorithms (e.g., Kalman filters) for navigation and attitude determination
• Design control laws for pointing, stabilization, and orbital maneuvers
• Collaborate with propulsion and hardware teams to integrate actuators and sensors into control systems
• Work with software engineers to implement GNC algorithms into flight software
• Validate system performance through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and real-world data
• Analyze flight data, troubleshoot anomalies, and improve system performance over time
• Contribute to system architecture decisions across vehicle and mission design

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in GNC, controls, or related fields
• Strong fundamentals in dynamics, control theory, and estimation
• Experience with simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or similar)
• Experience implementing or testing control systems in real-world or simulated environments
• Ability to work in fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field preferred
• Experience with spacecraft GNC systems or orbital mechanics preferred
• Familiarity with sensors such as star trackers, IMUs, and GPS preferred
• Experience with propulsion-integrated control systems preferred
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and validation preferred

Skills

• Strong programming skills in languages relevant to aerospace engineering
• Experience with spacecraft control systems
• Knowledge of spacecraft dynamics and orbital mechanics
• Experience with sensor integration and actuator control
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment

Benefits

The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $200,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Equity in Cowboy Space Corp. Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance. A 401(k) retirement savings plan is also available. Paid time off, 10 paid holidays per calendar year, and paid parental leave are provided. Relocation assistance is available if applicable. Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks are provided. ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.