AOCS/GNC Engineer

Design the systems that guide satellites in orbit for new ambitious missions
We are seeking an experienced AOCS/GNC Engineer to design, develop, and validate attitude determination, orbit control, and autonomous navigation solutions for small satellite missions. In this role, you will develop guidance and control strategies across diverse and demanding mission profiles — from VLEO drag-dominated regimes to deep-space trajectories and asteroid proximity operations.

You will join our Advanced Missions global team, developing next-generation AOCS/GNC concepts while collaborating closely with GomSpace's established AOCS team in Aalborg — who built and flew the AOCS for the Juventas CubeSat on ESA's Hera mission and are currently developing full 6-DoF GNC for the Llevant (RAMSES) asteroid rendezvous mission.

Your Role
As AOCS/GNC Engineer , you will own the attitude and orbit control design for advanced mission proposals — from requirements definition and algorithm design through high-fidelity simulation and hardware-in-the-loop validation.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Design and implement AOCS/GNC algorithms for attitude determination, control, and autonomous navigation across diverse mission profiles.
• Develop guidance and orbit-control strategies tailored to SSA, VLEO drag-dominated regimes, and deep-space trajectories.
• Model and simulate spacecraft dynamics , environmental disturbances, and sensor/actuator performance for mission-specific scenarios.
• Validate algorithms through high-fidelity simulations, Monte-Carlo analyses, and hardware-in-the-loop setups.
• Collaborate with systems, propulsion, and mission design teams to define control requirements and ensure end-to-end stability and performance.

What Success Looks Like
In the initial phase, success means:

• Understanding GomSpace's AOCS product portfolio (GSW-600 reaction wheels, Auriga/Twinkle star trackers, STIM300 IMU, AOCS Flightcore software).
• Delivering your first AOCS sizing and mode analysis for a mission proposal and setting up a reusable MATLAB/Simulink simulation environment.
• Establishing working relationships with the Aalborg AOCS team and communicating AOCS trade-offs clearly to non-AOCS stakeholders.

Over time, you will be recognised for owning end-to-end AOCS/GNC design for advanced mission proposals, developing and maintaining GNC strategies across multiple mission regimes, and achieving successful Monte-Carlo validation campaigns that demonstrate algorithm robustness.

What You Bring
You are an AOCS/GNC specialist with deep analytical rigour and a passion for solving complex spacecraft dynamics and control challenges across unconventional mission profiles.

You likely bring:

• An MSc or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Control Systems, Applied Mathematics, or a related field. A PhD focused on GNC, spacecraft dynamics, or autonomous navigation is a strong plus.
• 3–5+ years of experience in AOCS/GNC algorithm design, simulation, and validation for spacecraft missions.
• Experience with attitude determination (gyro-stellar estimators, EKF/UKF), 3-axis control (sliding mode, PD/PID, LQR), and momentum management.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink for spacecraft dynamics modelling and Monte-Carlo analysis.
• Experience with C/C++ implementation of flight algorithms and familiarity with AOCS sensors and actuators (star trackers, IMUs, reaction wheels, magnetorquers, RCS thrusters).
• Exposure to ESA/ECSS project lifecycle and AOCS design reviews (PDR, CDR) is highly valued.

Who You Are
You combine deep mathematical rigour with creative engineering intuition. You are energised by the challenge of designing control solutions for missions that push the boundaries of what nanosatellites can do.

You are known for:

• Analytical depth — AOCS/GNC demands mathematical precision, and you deliver it.
• Creative problem solving — developing novel control strategies for unconventional mission profiles.
• Collaborative communication — translating complex dynamics and control concepts into clear requirements for systems and propulsion teams.
• Self-driven initiative — comfortable with ambiguity in early-phase mission design.
• Execution discipline – ensuring commitments are met in demanding environments.
• Customer focus – ensuring focus on customer’s success.
• True leadership — taking ownership of your domain and driving technical excellence.

Why Join Us
You will play a key role in shaping future space missions at their most decisive stage. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with leading institutional customers, influence mission architectures from the start, and contribute to programs with long-term strategic impact.

Join our mission
You are welcome to send your application in English. Interviews will be conducted on a continuous basis. If you have any questions regarding the position do not hesitate to contact: Gaetano Livornese, Department Manager. E-mail: Se e-mailadresse på jobbank.dk

Workplace will be at our premises at Langagervej 6 in Aalborg, Denmark. Salary and start date will be individually negotiated.

We kindly draw your attention to the fact that we do not receive applications and resumes via e-mail or by personal appearance. This is to protect and show consideration for your personal information. Apply for the job by following the link below.

About GomSpace
GomSpace is a globally leading designer, integrator and manufacturer of high-end nano and microsatellites for customers in the academic, government and commercial markets. Our positions of strength include systems integration, small satellite subsystems and advanced miniaturized radio technology. At the core of our mission are our core values: Be helpful, communicate openly and frequently, and show true leadership.
Our international team is devoted to understanding our customers’ requirements and delivering high quality. We are listed in Stockholm (GOMX), headquartered in Denmark and have subsidiaries in Sweden, Singapore, France, North America and Luxembourg. We have more than 200 employees servicing customers in more than 60 countries.

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At GomSpace WE MAKE SPACE YOURS.

Join us in shaping the future of space exploration!

Application deadline:
As soon as possible

Application deadline:
As soon as possible