C3S

ADCS Engineer

ADCS development for nano- to small LEO satellites, for ESA and commercial missions

As an Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) Engineer, you will work across the full lifecycle of our satellites – from early mission analysis and system design, through simulator and algorithm development, to verification, launch preparation and in-orbit commissioning. Your responsibilities will span both analytical and hands-on engineering: developing high-fidelity ADCS simulation tools, designing and tuning control and estimation algorithms, integrating these into flight software, executing MiL/SiL/PiL/HiL verification campaigns, and analysing real flight data from ongoing missions.

You will work closely with system, mechanical and embedded teams to define requirements, perform design trade-offs, and ensure robust on-orbit performance. This role combines modelling and simulation, ADCS algorithm and software development, engineering analysis and decision-making, testing and operations support, providing a direct impact on the success of real space missions.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain ADCS simulator in MATLAB/Simulink (attitude and orbit dynamics, environment, sensors, actuators, GNC functions, post-processing and visualisation)
• Design, implement and tune GNC algorithms (control laws, state estimators, mode logic and basic FDIR)
• Run and evaluate simulations (scenario studies, Monte-Carlo, sensitivity, robustness and performance analysis)
• Integrate ADCS algorithms into flight software (C++ / auto-coding)
• Plan and carry out ADCS test campaigns (Model-in-the-Loop, Software-in-the-Loop, Processor-in-the-Loop, Hardware-in-the-Loop) and analyse test results
• Support system-level ADCS analysis (requirements, mission analysis, mode architecture, design trade-offs, actuator/sensor sizing and supplier selection)
• Analyse and evaluate in-orbit flight data, support early mission operations, investigate ADCS anomalies.
• Prepare technical documentation and contribute to review phases.

Must-have:

• MSc degree in Aerospace, Mechatronics, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Physics or a closely related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Solid background in the following areas:
  • State estimation (sensor fusion, Kalman filters)
  • Control systems (PID, state-space control, LQR, basic stability and robustness analysis, tuning)
  • Modelling and simulation of dynamic systems (numerical solvers, linearisation, nonlinear systems, simulation architectures)
  • Spacecraft attitude kinematics and rotational mechanics (rigid-body dynamics, reference frames, quaternions/DCMs)
• Very good command of MATLAB/Simulink
• Experience with version control (Git or similar).
• Fluent English, with the ability to write technical documentation and communicate with international partners.
• Ability to work both independently, taking ownership of tasks, and in small, cross-functional teams.

Nice-to-have:

• Prior work experience in real-time Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) (satellite AOCS/ADCS/GNC, UAV/drone autopilot, robotics GNC, ADAS/self-driving)
• GNSS-based navigation (GNSS modelling, measurement handling, basic orbit determination)
• Relative and vision-based navigation (relative dynamics, pose estimation, camera-based GNC)
• Familiarity with ADCS sensors and actuators
• Advanced control (robust, nonlinear, constrained attitude control)
• Flexible-body dynamics (flexible modes, reduced-order modelling, impact on pointing performance).
• Autocoding (MATLAB Coder, Embedded Coder, Simulink Coder)
• Python (simulation tooling, automation and visualisation)
• C++ (embedded integration, flight software interfaces)
• Verification and testing (MiL/SiL/PiL/HiL)
• Familiarity with space mission development lifecycle and processes (ECSS, requirements and verification flow)

What we offer:

• An exciting role at an innovative and rapidly growing company in the space industry
• Flexible working hours with defined core hours
• Long-term employment, career prospects with a competitive salary package
• Opportunities for professional development, including training programs and conference participation
• A supportive and friendly work environment with regular team-building activities and social events (e.g. optional sailing, beach volleyball, board games, hiking, and other outdoor activities)

Location:

• Budapest, IX.

Application form

Are you looking for a position in the space industry? Fill in this form and send us your CV in English!