ADCS Engineer
Catalyx Space
Other Engineering
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Role: ADCS Engineer
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India — On-site
Employment type: Full-time
Industry: Space Technology
About Catalyx Space:
We’re building AWS for space—providing in-space experiments and tech demos across LEO, deep space, and lunar orbit. Our offerings include unmanned labs, testbeds for rideshare and dedicated missions, and re-entry capsules for payload return. We simplify access with end-to-end solutions, no minimum mass limits, zero integration fees, and fast deployment (≤6 months), serving biopharma, semiconductors, materials science, defense, and more.
Role:
Catalyx Space is looking for a driven ADCS Engineer with experience in developing, simulating, and implementing attitude determination and control algorithms for nanosatellites or CubeSats. You will be responsible for designing control logic, simulating satellite dynamics, integrating sensors and actuators, and ensuring the spacecraft maintains its desired orientation in orbit.
This role requires strong analytical, modeling, and embedded implementation skills.
Key responsibilities:
- Design and simulate attitude control algorithms for nanosatellites
- Develop attitude estimation filters such as EKF, TRIAD, and QUEST using sensor data
- Select, size, and integrate ADCS hardware including magnetorquers, reaction wheels, gyros, star trackers, and sun sensors
- Model spacecraft dynamics and validate control system performance using MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or C++
- Implement ADCS firmware on onboard flight computers
- Support HIL (hardware-in-the-loop) and SIL (software-in-the-loop) testing for flight readiness
- Perform FMECA (Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) to ensure ADCS reliability and robustness
- Coordinate with mechanical, thermal, and mission teams to define attitude modes and constraints
- Work with procurement to identify, evaluate, and source ADCS components and sensors
- Prepare and maintain detailed documentation for ADCS design, simulation, testing, and flight operations
- Analyze in-orbit telemetry and tune control parameters post-launch for improved pointing accuracy
Qualifications:
- B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Aerospace, Electronics, Controls, Mechatronics, or a related field
- 2–5 years of experience working on ADCS systems for satellites
- Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, control theory, and spacecraft attitude dynamics
- Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or C/C++
- Familiarity with embedded implementation and communication protocols
- Hands-on experience with inertial sensors and actuator control
Nice to have:
- Practical experience with reaction wheel control or magnetorquer boards
- Knowledge of Kalman filters and high-fidelity spacecraft modeling
- Familiarity with STK, GMAT, or Orekit for orbit and attitude visualization
- Experience working on spaceflight missions with in-orbit validation of ADCS systems
Compensation & benefits:
- Competitive salary (details will be shared with shortlisted candidates),
- health insurance
- Provident fund.
How to apply:
Apply via Zoho Recruit: https://catalyxspace.zohorecruit.in/jobs/Careers/193193000000349773/ADCS-Engineer?source=CareerSite
We only contact candidates from @catalyx.space emails. No fees are required at any stage of our hiring process.
Equal Opportunity: Catalyx Space is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on any protected characteristic.