Staff Engineer - GNC/ADCS

Job Description

Job Title: Staff Engineer - GNC/ADCS. Location: Louisville, Colorado, United States (Hybrid: On-site with up to 2 remote days per week)

Responsibilities:

• Lead the full lifecycle of Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) and Propulsion subsystems for a constellation of radar imaging spacecraft and future quantum space missions.
• Design, build, test, operate, and decommission spacecraft ADCS and propulsion systems.
• Develop and manage performance requirements for ADCS and propulsion systems to meet mission objectives.
• Lead research and development of next-generation spacecraft subsystems through trade studies, system sizing, design, and technical reviews.
• Design and implement state estimation and control algorithms for spacecraft localization and pointing.
• Develop custom software tools to automate engineering workflows and improve operational efficiency;
• Build high-fidelity software simulations to model spacecraft dynamics and subsystem behavior.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for ADCS and propulsion technologies.
• Collaborate with systems, thermal, electrical, mechanical, radar, communications, and flight software engineering teams.
• Act as the primary technical contact for external ADCS and propulsion vendors and partners.
• Monitor industry developments and evaluate new technologies relevant to spacecraft guidance and control.
• Travel occasionally as required (up to 5%).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• At least 5 years of experience with GNC, ADCS, or control systems for spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or UAVs.
• Strong understanding of state estimation, filtering techniques, and their applications;
• Solid knowledge of rigid body and flexible body dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience leading hardware development projects.
• Familiarity with orbital dynamics and the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB.
• Must meet U.S. export control (ITAR) eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the necessary authorizations.

Preferred:

• Experience with ADCS hardware, including star trackers, sun sensors, reaction wheels, torque rods, control moment gyroscopes, propulsion systems, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and GPS.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or C/C++ for flight software development.
• Experience working in real-time operational environments with uncertainty and risk management.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Passion for learning new technologies and mentoring others.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Base salary: $145,920 to $182,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
• Unlimited paid time off and paid holidays.
• Parental and adoption leave.
• Legal insurance.
• Home technology stipend.
• Additional benefits will be provided upon employment offer.

Other Information:

• Hybrid work arrangement based in Louisville, Colorado, with up to two remote workdays per week.
• Travel requirement of up to 5%, including domestic and international travel.
• Work on advanced radar imaging spacecraft and future quantum-enabled space missions.
• Join multidisciplinary engineering teams focused on spacecraft systems, quantum technologies, and mission-critical operations;
• IonQ is committed to building an inclusive workplace and provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants.
• Employment is subject to U.S. export control regulations. Candidates must meet applicable U.S. Person requirements or obtain the necessary government authorization.
• Background screening and compliance verification are required before employment.