Principal Controls Engineering Architect – Spacecraft & Payload Systems

About the role

We are seeking an accomplished Principal Controls Engineering Architect to lead the design and architecture of spacecraft and payload control systems for next-generation satellite platforms. The ideal candidate will define end-to-end control system architectures, including guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), sensor integration, beam steering, and closed-loop pointing systems, ensuring high-accuracy, low-jitter performance. This role requires working across multiple teams—GNC, FPGA/compute, opto-mechanics, and vendors—to define requirements, implement system simulations, and verify performance. Our mission is to enable human space exploration and extend humanity's reach beyond Earth, while improving life on our planet through advanced aerospace technologies.

Responsibilities

• Define spacecraft and payload control system architectures, including coarse and fine pointing, closed-loop control, and LOS jitter suppression.
• Define sensor architecture and placement, including star trackers, IMUs, accelerometers, and gyroscopes, ensuring optimal system performance.
• Work with the FPGA/compute team to define processing and computational requirements for real-time closed-loop control systems.
• Collaborate with the optomechanical team to define coarse and fine pointing requirements for optical payloads.
• Engage with vendors to define requirements and specifications for sensors, beam steering devices, and other critical control hardware.
• Perform open-loop and closed-loop system simulations for line-of-sight jitter control and overall spacecraft stability.
• Work with design verification engineers to implement, test, and verify system performance against requirements.
• Lead trade studies, system-level analysis, and iterative optimization of control strategies.
• Mentor and grow a team of control systems engineers, fostering innovation, technical excellence, and mission-focused solutions.

Qualifications

The basic qualifications for this role include an MS degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering, or a related field, and a minimum of 10 years of experience in spacecraft or high-precision payload control system design. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in GNC, closed-loop control, sensor integration, and spacecraft/payload stability, as well as experience collaborating with FPGA/compute teams and defining real-time control system requirements.

Skills

• Proficiency with control system simulation tools and analysis of open- and closed-loop systems.
• Strong experience in requirements definition, system verification, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Systems-level thinking and architecture-level control system design.
• Deep understanding of spacecraft dynamics, sensors, and closed-loop control strategies.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and mentorship skills.
• Passion for space exploration and advancing technologies that improve life on Earth.