Senior Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer

Astroscale Holdings Inc.; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Hybrid working available

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Life insurance

Job summary

Astroscale UK seeks a Senior GNC Systems Engineer to design and verify the Guidance, Navigation and Control subsystem for ASUK missions, including Computer Vision elements and integration with GNC hardware for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations. You will lead verification planning, contribute to subsystem integration, and collaborate across engineering disciplines on advanced mission solutions.

The role emphasizes hands-on development, state-of-the-art GNC research, and the translation of

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or another relevant engineering/science discipline.
• 5+ years’ relevant experience in a GNC related field
• Matlab/Simulink development skills – at least intermediate level.
• Knowledge and experience on the development of the GNC subsystem architecture
• Hands-on experience with GNC requirements derivation and verification
• Design and implementation of control laws and navigation algorithms
• Translating algorithms into operational flight software
• GNC hardware integration and test
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art GNC technologies/hardware used in space missions
• Knowledge of various capture systems used for RPO missions
• Experience with RPO and docking algorithms/solutions
• Experience with flight dynamics and relative orbital dynamics
• On-orbit operational experience of satellite missions
• Embedded software development skills – intermediate level.

Responsibilities

• Contribute development of GNC systems (requirements, FDIR, V&V strategy etc.) for Astroscale projects, ensuring integration of GNC algorithms, Computer Vision algorithms and GNC Hardware for RPO missions.
• Contribute to the logical integration of the technical GNC subsystem work packages and overall solution, including the subsystem development and verification plans.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines in the planning, design and development of AS mission/system to ensure required GNC subsystem performance and compatibility.
• Plan and execute GNC subsystem verification and test activities.
• Drive GNC subsystem’s review gates and contribute to mission review gates.
• Conduct state-of-the-art research into GNC (hardware and algorithm) designs relevant to Astroscale’s missions and perform subsystem level design and trade-off analysis.
• Support GNC algorithm development and GNC hardware selection and integration for Rendezvous and Proximity Operation (RPO) missions.
• Support development of GNC software architecture, with designs leading towards an overall GNC software solution.
• Liaise with customers and/or suppliers to characterize GNC system constraints/requirements, identify and/or present the technical GNC solution.
• Provide support to mission’s technical and programmatic leadership.
• Provide support and analysis for on-orbit operations of AS spacecraft.

Skills

GNC experience

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++ programming

Embedded software

GNC hardware

RPO docking

On-orbit ops

Education

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering

Tools

GNC hardware integration

Job description

In your role as Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer you will contribute to the overall design and verification of the Guidance, Navigation (including Computer Vision), and Control subsystem for ASUK missions. You will be able to demonstrate your technical skill, ability to be a team player and ability to deliver in accordance with the various drivers associated with commercial organisations.

GNC systems for Astroscale missions require both standard and bespoke GNC & Computer vision algorithms and hardware, which need to be integrated together and with the wider satellite bus. This is often cutting edge, very complex, innovative and forms some of Astroscale’s most important intellectual property. This role will allow the right candidate to shape solutions for our missions.

Responsibilities

• Contribute development of GNC systems (requirements, FDIR, V&V strategy etc.) for Astroscale projects, ensuring integration of GNC algorithms, Computer Vision algorithms and GNC Hardware for RPO (Rendezvous and Proximity Operations) missions.
• Contribute to the logical integration of the technical GNC subsystem work packages and overall solution, including the subsystem development and verification plans.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines in the planning, design and development of AS mission/system to ensure required GNC subsystem performance and compatibility.
• Plan and execute GNC subsystem verification and test activities.
• Drive GNC subsystem’s review gates and contribute to mission review gates.
• Conduct state-of-the-art research into GNC (hardware and algorithm) designs relevant to Astroscale’s missions and perform subsystem level design and trade-off analysis.
• Support GNC algorithm development and GNC hardware selection and integration for Rendezvous and Proximity Operation (RPO) missions.
• Support development of GNC software architecture, with designs leading towards an overall GNC software solution.
• Liaise with customers and/or suppliers to characterize GNC system constraints/requirements, identify and/or present the technical GNC solution.
• Provide support to mission’s technical and programmatic leadership.
• Provide support and analysis for on-orbit operations of AS spacecraft.

Essential Skills

• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or another relevant engineering/science discipline.
• 5+ years’ relevant experience in a GNC related field
• Matlab/Simulink development skills – at least intermediate level.
• Knowledge and experience on the development of the GNC subsystem architecture
• Hands on experience with most of the following:
  • GNC requirement derivation and verification
  • Design and implementation of control laws and navigation algorithms
  • Theoretical knowledge of guidance strategies for RPO missions.
  • Translating algorithms into operational flight software.
  • GNC hardware integration and test
  • Knowledge of state-of-the-art GNC technologies/hardware used in space missions (technologies, trade-offs, procurement, data processing etc)
  • Knowledge of various capture systems used for RPO missions

Desirable skills

• Experience with implementation of RPO and docking algorithms/solutions.
• Experience with working with flight dynamics and a good level of understanding of relative orbital dynamics.
• On-orbit operational experience of satellite missions.
• C/C++ software development skills – intermediate level.
• Embedded software development skills – intermediate level.
• Knowledge of active debris removal missions e.g. RemoveDebris, e.DeOrbit, ATV, ELSA-d, CleanSpace, etc.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment
• Optional 9/75 working pattern
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements)
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance
• Visa sponsorship for employees considered
• State of the art office and cleanroom facility
• Regular social events

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell).

About Astroscale

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations. We provide trusted and value-added solutions for government and commercial clients from their geography of choice, to drive the long-term, circular space economy. Astroscale is also collaborating with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives that promote the sustainable growth of space.

Since our first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions, establishing the company as a leader in on-orbit servicing. Astroscale spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat OneWeb. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, service and remove, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked.

At Astroscale we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astrsocale is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.