Systems Engineer – Software & GNC

Systems Engineer – Software & GNCSymphony SpaceFlight Software, On-Board Computing & Guidance Navigation ControlArlington, VA |  Full-Time On-SiteSymphony Space Inc. is an early-stage U.S. space company developing modular autonomous space stations. We are headquartered in Arlington, Virginia and are building a lean, highly skilled engineering team. If you are excited about reimagining how spacecrafts and space systems are designed, deployed, and operated — join us at the frontier.Symphony Space's engineering team is highly skilled and mission-driven. You will be one of the first engineers on the team, working directly with the CTO and Chief Engineer. At this stage, you will not be handed a narrow task list. You will be in charge of the software and on-board computing architecture and the GNC / mission analysis function. About the RoleThis is a triple-domain engineering role. You will operate as the technical lead for Flight Software & On-Board Computing and GNC / Mission Analysis, and as Program Manager for the Robotic Arm Manipulation System — with the expectation that you progressively build specialist depth in each as the program matures.Flight Software & On-Board ComputingDesign and own the FSW architecture for the bus on-board computer (OBC)Define and implement the interface software protocol stack — the data communication layer between the bus and payload modulesImplement and test telecommand/telemetry (TC/TM) data handling, CCSDS compliance, and fault managementDevelop ground simulation environments (software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop) for FSW validationEstablish FSW development processes: version control, CI/CD, coding standards, and documentationGNC & Mission AnalysisLead mission analysis activities: orbit trade studies, delta-V budgets, coverage analyses, and launch window definition Design the adaptive AOCS for the bus, accounting for variable inertia as modules are swapped on orbitSelect and size actuators (reaction wheels, magnetorquers) and sensors (star trackers, IMU, GPS)Develop GNC algorithms and implement them into the FSW with end-to-end ownership of the control loopBuild and validate 6-DOF GNC simulation models; integrate into the system-level analysis environmentUse simulation tools to validate mission architectures and GNC performance end-to-end: mission scenario generation and coverage analysis in STK, orbital mechanics modelling in GMAT, attitude control loop simulation in MATLAB/Simulink, and software-in-the-loop (SIL) / hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments for flight software validationDefine and execute the GNC verification and validation plan; support AIT and LEOP from a GNC perspectiveAbout YouRequiredM.S. or B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field7+ years of experience spanning both spacecraft software/embedded systems and GNCProficiency in C/C++ for embedded/real-time systems and Python/MATLAB for GNC simulation and analysisExperience with RTOS (FreeRTOS, VxWorks, RTEMS, or equivalent) and flight software frameworks (cFS or similar)Solid grounding in orbital mechanics, attitude determination and control algorithms (Kalman filtering, TRIAD, etc.)Experience with orbital mechanics tools (STK, GMAT, or equivalent) and MATLAB/Simulink for GNC developmentFamiliarity with CCSDS standards and space communication protocolsMust be a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident.PreferredExperience designing wireless communication protocol stacksExperience with adaptive or robust control for variable-inertia spacecraftPrior work on LEO small satellite programs through flightFamiliarity with hardware-in-the-loop test environmentsExperience with Ansys Systems Tool Kit (STK) for mission analysis: coverage and access analysis, orbit trade studies, sensor modelling, and conjunction assessment; ability to script STK scenarios programmatically (STK Engine / Python API)Familiarity with GMAT (General Mission Analysis Tool) for trajectory design and manoeuvre planning; experience integrating GMAT or STK outputs into higher-level system budgetsExperience with robotic simulation environments (ROS/Gazebo, Simulink Robotics Toolbox, or equivalent) for arm kinematics, motion planning, and proximity operations modellingThe person we are looking forYou are a rare generalist-specialist: someone who can write flight software in the morning and run a 6-DOF trajectory simulation in the afternoon. You are comfortable owning the full software-to-AOCS chain and excited by the challenge of making it work on a novel modular platform. You are a self-starter and thrive in fast-paced environments.Compensation & BenefitsBase salary: competitive with early-stage aerospace startups, commensurate with experience.Equity: meaningful founding-team equity grant with standard 4-year vesting / 1-year cliff.Benefits: health, dental, and vision insurance; flexible PTO; 401(k) match and vestingSymphony Space Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.