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

• 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. (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))

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

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.