Staff Engineer - GNC/ADCS
IonQindustry
About IonQ:
IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.
Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.
About Capella
Capella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella’s culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthen global stability and security. Team members work side-by-side with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations.
Capella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella’s ability to innovate and deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.
Location: This role is based on site at our Louisville, Colorado office, with the option to work two days a week remotely.
Travel: Up to 5%, domestic or international.
Job ID: 1658
The Role
As a Staff Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of the Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) and Propulsion subsystems for a constellation of radar imaging spacecraft and future quantum space missions. You will serve as a cognizant engineer for GNC hardware and software. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers to ensure existing spacecraft meet their mission objectives and to design and develop next- generation systems. Your work will have a direct impact on spacecraft performance and the overall technical success of Capella.
This role sits in the Spacecraft Engineering organization, alongside systems, thermal, electrical/harnessing, mechanical/deployables, radar/communications, and flight software engineers.
Responsibilities
- Drive the full lifecycle for ADCS and Propulsion systems supporting a constellation of spacecraft: design, build, test, on-orbit operations, and decommissioning.
- Generate and own ADCS and Propulsion systems performance requirements to satisfy high-level mission objectives.
- Lead research and development for new spacecraft subsystems, working from first principles to develop and execute complex trade studies, conduct system sizing and design, and present at program-level design reviews.
- Be a technical authority on control theory. Design and implement state estimators and control algorithms for the localization and pointing of cutting-edge quantum missions and radar-imaging spacecraft.
- Develop custom software tools to automate engineering workflows, support design studies, and enhance spacecraft on-orbit operational efficiency.
- Build high fidelity software simulations to model spacecraft dynamics and system behavior.
- Act as a subject matter expert for all things ADCS and Propulsion.
- Serve as the technical contact for external ADCS and Propulsion vendors and partners and keep informed of the broader industry landscape.
- Occasional travel may be required.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or related technical field.
- 5+ years of experience with GNC, ADCS, or control systems, on spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or UAVs/drones.
- Solid understanding of state estimation/filtering and applications.
- Solid understanding of rigid body and flexible dynamics.
- Demonstrated leadership of hardware development projects.
- Familiarity with orbital dynamics and the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space environment.
- Familiarity with a scripting language such as Python or MATLAB.
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Preferred Qualification
- Familiarity with GNC/ADCS hardware: star trackers, sun sensors, reaction wheels, torque rods, control moment gyroscopes, propulsion systems, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, GPS, etc.
- Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or C/C++, and experience developing software for flight applications.
- Experience dealing with unknowns, quantifying risk, navigating uncertainty, and handling the pressure of a real-time operating environment.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and cross-functionally.
- Enjoyment of learning and teaching new skills.
Compensation
The approximate base salary range for this position is $145,920 - $182,000. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity. Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space.
Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.
At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.
We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
US Technical Jobs. The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
US Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!