Spacecraft GNC Engineer

About the role

The company seeks a talented Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) AKA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate can go both deep and broad across the control system analysis and design process. They would use a “systems mindset” to be a multiplier when collaborating with other disciplines to arrive at an elegant, best-fit spacecraft design.

This position can be performed remotely from an approved location.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement guidance, navigation & control architectures and algorithms in an embedded C++ environment

• Define requirements for ADCS algorithms, hardware, and related systems - both for existing missions as well as roadmap development that unlock new customer opportunities

• Perform analysis and simulation of mission-specific GNC performance

• Collaborate on the development of ground-processing algorithms for sensor calibration

• Collaborate on the development of an offline geolocation processing pipeline

• Support anomaly resolution of on-orbit systems, including oncall duties

• Support software- and hardware-in-the-loop test planning, execution, and validation

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or equivalent plus at least 2-3 years of professional experience, OR several years of experience hands-on with GNC analysis and design

• Software skills in C++

• Knowledge of control and optimization theory

• Expertise in common numerical programming environments (Python, Julia, MATLAB)

• Experience designing, analyzing, and implementing ADCS/GNC subsystems for spacecraft

• Excellent communication, presentation, and coordination skills

• Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new opportunities each week

Nice-to-have Skills

• Experience with control stability analysis of flexible bodies

• Experience with ADCS of precision pointing platforms

• Experience with spacecraft flight operations

• US Government security clearance

Salary

The salary range for this role is $166,000 - $219,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.

About the company

Founded in 2021, the company is an end-to-end the company Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, the company is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.

Taking Care of Our Team

At the company salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.

Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too.  The company is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

The company is currently registered and able to hire in the following states:

AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, ID, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.