Skip to content

Flight Software

GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineer

Starfish Space logoStarfish Space$100,000–$180,000/yrTukwila, Washington, United StatesFullTimePosted 1w ago
  • US citizenship
  • ITAR / US person

How this pay compares

This posting states $100k–$180k a year. Open GNC engineer jobs in Washington post a median of $163k a year, the middle half $149k–$163k, across 12 jobs that state their pay, so this one is below the middle half of what they post.

GNC engineers in Washington: pay by town and employer

About the job

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.

From Starfish Space's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

Selected agencies hiring now

These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.

Sponsored

Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.

Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.

New flight software and GNC jobs in Washington, by email

One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.

About Starfish Space

Satellite servicing spacecraft that dock with satellites in orbit.

Pay on its listings: 90% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on Starfish Space's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

More open jobs at Starfish Space

More flight software and GNC jobs

Written flight software or GNC?

One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.

Create my profile

Starfish Space openings, sent to you weekly

Each week we send the newest postings from Starfish Space's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.