GNC Engineer, ADCS

Lynk; Headquarters (KY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A cutting-edge telecommunications company is seeking an Attitude Determination and System Engineer to enhance satellite control systems. Responsibilities include evolving ADCS architecture, collaborating with Systems Engineering, and performing comprehensive analyses. Candidates should possess 5+ years of experience, a relevant degree, and proficiency in tools like IMUs and magnetometers. A full-time position located in the Washington, DC area with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with satellite attitude determination and/or control systems.
• In depth knowledge and hands on experience with satellite attitude determination components.
• Good at working independently and in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Evolve satellite ADCS architecture for performance improvements.
• Interface with Systems Engineering team for constellation design.
• Perform analysis to determine satellite ADCS component performance requirements.

Skills

Satellite attitude determination

Control systems

Programming proficiency in C, Python, Rust

Linux proficiency

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering, or related field

Tools

IMUs

magnetometers

star trackers

reaction wheels

microcontrollers

Job description

Attitude Determination and System Engineer

Join to apply for the Attitude Determination and System Engineer role at Lynk

About Lynk

Lynk is the inventor of satellite direct to standard phone technology aka sat2phone, and has the world’s only commercial license from the FCC to operate a commercial sat2phone system. Today, Lynk allows mobile network operators' subscribers to send and receive text messages to and from space via standard unmodified, mobile devices. Lynk’s service has been tested and proven on all seven continents, has regulatory approvals in more than 30 countries and is currently being deployed commercially based on more than 40 MNO commercial service contracts covering approximately 50 countries. Our technology will enable all 8 billion people on the planet to stay connected with the existing standard phone in their pocket. Everywhere. No matter what. By joining Lynk, you will have the opportunity to directly touch the lives of billions. Your mission will be to bring mobile broadband to billions, pull hundreds of millions out of poverty, and save countless lives.

Job Summary

As an ADCS Engineer at Lynk, you will be responsible for the analysis, design, implementation, optimization and enhancement of satellite attitude determination and control systems for the satellites in our constellation. Some of your work products will include satellite ADCS system level design, flight code and algorithm design, ADCS component evaluations, such as sensors, effectors, etc., ADCS component design, full hardware in the loop simulation of satellite dynamics in lab, and design of lab test environments and set ups to support ADCS development and testing.

Core Responsibilities

• Continue to evolve Lynk’s satellite ADCS architecture including components and systems that provide both relative and absolute attitude measurements.
• Refine the Concept of Operations for the satellite attitude determination and control system and related ground systems.
• Interface with Systems Engineering team to inform constellation and network architecture and design based on satellite attitude determination and control system performance.
• Support development of the 6 DOF simulation used to support attitude determination and control system evaluation.
• Perform analyses to determine satellite ADCS component performance requirements including performance characteristics, such as sizing, accuracy, sensor noise, reliability, etc., redundancy, and fault management options.
• Specify, evaluate, and select satellite attitude determination sensors which may include rate sensors, magnetometers, sun sensors, horizon sensors, thermal sensors, and star trackers.
• Specify, evaluate, and select satellite attitude determination effectors which may include magnetorquers, reaction wheels, gravity gradient booms, and even propulsive components.
• Determine attitude determination sensor and effector types, number, and placement required on spacecraft.
• Design and implement algorithms and software to support various pointing modes and attitude control scenarios.
• Evolve Concept of Operations for both ground and space system operations needed to support satellite attitude determination and control.
• Perform integration and test of satellite ADCS components and software on the satellites and in the lab.
• Design and plan payload testing configurations on the ground when testing satellite attitude determination and control system performance both in-lab and in-orbit.
• Support satellite integration, testing, and delivery to launch provider.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for satellite ADCS architecture definition, design, and development.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in physics, engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience with satellite attitude determination and/or control systems.
• Recent participation in projects developing space hardware and software, preferably satellite attitude determination and/or control.
• In depth knowledge and hands on experience with satellite attitude determination and control system components such as IMUs, magnetometers, star trackers, reaction wheels, and magnetorquers.
• In depth knowledge of flight guidance navigation and control systems and software is a huge plus.
• In depth knowledge of satellite propulsion systems, propulsion system CONOPS, and trajectory planning is a huge plus.
• Programming Proficiency in one or more programming languages is required, such as Rust, C, Python, MATLAB, etc.
• Proficient in working with Linux based systems.
• Hands on experience with programming microcontrollers is desired.
• Must be good with computers. Fluent in Linux, Windows, and Mac OSX, very capable with Microsoft Office.
• Must be able to work independently and in a team environment.

ITAR Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government export control regulations (ITAR), applicants must be one of the following: (i) a U.S. citizen or national, (ii) a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) an asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158. Individuals who do not meet these criteria must be eligible to obtain the necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. For more information, please refer to the ITAR guidelines. Learn about ITAR here.

Job Location

Washington, DC area.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Information Technology

Industries

Wireless Services