GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineer
About the role
About Starfish Space: Starfish Space provides satellite servicing missions with its Otter servicing vehicle, including life extension missions for geostationary satellites and disposal missions for low Earth orbit satellites. Founded in 2019, Starfish has raised over $150M in venture capital funding and built a team of engineers with experience spanning satellite guidance, navigation, control, and autonomous robotics. Starfish has launched several missions to-date, and is focused on delivering Otter satellite servicing missions for SES, the U.S. Space Force, the Space Development Agency, NASA, and others.
Position Description Satellite servicing missions require autonomous, robotic actions in orbit. To fulfill our mission, Starfish developed the Otter servicing vehicle and the CEPHALOPOD guidance software to interact with and maximize the operational value of satellites. GNC Engineers at Starfish Space support the refinement of flight algorithms to autonomously guide satellites during rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD), and relies on guidance, navigation, and control skills. This engineer will do everything ranging from writing software, to developing autonomous flight algorithms, to testing and refining GNC software during breakthrough RPOD missions.
Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience with GNC, preferably in an aerospace context
- Proficiency with astrodynamics
- Working knowledge of satellite guidance and/or control
- Programming experience in Python and/or C/C++
- B.S. degree or equivalent in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field
- Must be a US person (citizen, permanent resident, or designated refugee / asylee)
- Willing to work from Tukwila, Washington
- Capable of working a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment
ITAR Requirements To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Where you can work
Fully remote, open only to people based in United States.
Copied from the listing Starfish Space published, verified 29 Oct 2026.
The application
Your details and CV, then 4 questions.
- 1.ITAR Eligibility Requirements: Starfish must comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Are you a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., proYes or no
- 2.Defense Contracts: Some of our important customers include the US Space Force and Space Development Agency; are you comfortable working on defense contracts?Yes or no
- 3.Work Location: We believe it's important to be in the same location regularly; are you comfortable working from Tukwila, WA? (Or other location as listed on job posting.)Yes or no
- 4.Startup Reality: Despite making some progress, as an early stage company we are unlikely to maximize your job security or salary; are you okay with that?Yes or no
Taken from the application form Starfish Space runs, verified 29 Oct 2026.
About Starfish Space
Satellite servicing spacecraft that dock with satellites in orbit.
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