Senior GNC Engineer

Clearspace; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ClearSpace, based in the United Kingdom, seeks a GNC Architect for rendezvous missions to advance sustainable space operations and in-orbit servicing initiatives.

You will define the GNC architecture, requirements, simulators, and test specs, while developing software prototypes and overseeing subsystem verification with EM hardware.

Ideal candidates bring GNC development/verification experience, algorithm design skills, hardware integration, and MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++ proficiency.

Qualifications

• Experience in GNC development and verification.
• Experience of GNC algorithm design e.g. navigation filters, guidance strategies and controllers.
• Experience of GNC hardware integration and test.
• Experience with software packages commonly used for aerospace simulations e.g. MATLAB/Simulink and Python.
• Experience of programming in C/C++.

Responsibilities

• Define the GNC architecture for the mission.
• Define and manage the GNC Subsystem Requirements.
• Define the GNC simulator and the test specifications
• Develop GNC software prototype
• Perform GNC subsystem verification with EM hardware using dedicated testbeds.
• Define risks and risk mitigation strategies for the GNC subsystem
• Interface with the program management and technical team especially the System Architect.
• Contribute to system activities, including system-level trade-offs, in collaboration with other subsystem leads,
• Define GNC FDIR processes.
• Contribute to Verification and Validation, subsystem/spacecraft integration planning and execution.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Excellent communication

Team collaboration

Agile working

Education

BSc/MSc in aerospace engineering or related

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Job description

At ClearSpace, we believe in reusability, in affordability driving disruption, and that no progress is real unless it is sustainable.

Our company was founded in 2018 out of the realization that in-orbit servicing and space debris removal are vital services for the future of space exploration and operations. Today ClearSpace has assembled an expert engineering team and is leading the way toward sustainable space operations. From a garage in Switzerland, we now operate across UK and Europe, and are working with world-leading institutions and companies to bring our dream of a sustainable space ecosystem to life.

We are looking for a GNC Architect to join our team who will work on both our current missions and future projects.

Role Purpose/Summary

GNC Architect for a Rendezvous mission.

Role Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the position are:

• Define the GNC architecture for the mission;
• Define and manage the GNC Subsystem Requirements;
• Define the GNC simulator and the test specifications
• Develop GNC software prototype
• Perform GNC subsystem verification with EM (Engineering Model) hardware using dedicated testbeds.
• Define risks and risk mitigation strategies for the GNC subsystem
• Interface with the program management and technical team especially the System Architect

• Contribute to system activities, including system-level trade-offs, in collaboration with other subsystem leads,
• Define GNC FDIR (Fault/Failure Detection, Isolation, and Recovery) processes.

• Contribute to Verification and Validation, subsystem/spacecraft integration planning and execution.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

The candidate is expected to have proficiency in:

• Experience in GNC development and verification
• Experience of GNC algorithm design e.g. navigation filters, guidance strategies and controllers.
• Experience of GNC hardware integration and test.
• Experience with software packages commonly used for aerospace simulations e.g. MATLAB/Simulink and Python.
• Experience of programming in C/C++.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Strong analytical skills
• Practical working knowledge of digital electronics relevant to a GNC system (communications protocols, satellite Command & Data Handling, digital integration to enable Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing etc.).
• Experience of on-orbit GNC analysis, debug and refinement.

• Knowledge and experience of GNC rendezvous and pose estimation sensors and methods.
• Experience of satellite trajectory design and analysis e.g. walking safety ellipses, passively safe trajectories, abort manoeuvres and collision avoidance manoeuvres.

Desired Education

• (BSc/MSc) Degree in aerospace engineering or another relevant engineering/science discipline.

Desired Strengths

• A team player, willing to get stuck in and collaborate wherever is needed.
• Agile, flexible and able to work across a geographically distributed teams.
• A great communicator.