GNC Engineer

Argo; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Argo is seeking a GNC Engineer to help architect the full simulation and flight control stack for refuellable in-space transport vehicles and other space systems. You will drive the spacecraft's attitude determination, trajectory optimization, guidance, and control systems, and contribute to hardware-in-the-loop testing and flight operations.

You will implement high-fidelity simulations, support Monte Carlo analyses, and develop core GNC algorithms for our spacecraft.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or physics discipline.
• Experience designing aerospace GNC systems and control algorithms.
• Proficient in C/C++ and Python; knowledge of orbital mechanics.
• Experience with flight hardware-in-the-loop testing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive mission performance for high-deltaV, refuellable spacecraft.
• Prototype, troubleshoot, and test simulations and flight algorithms.
• Develop GNC tools and models for trades and design reviews.
• Collaborate across teams to meet mission objectives.
• Support design reviews and flight readiness reviews.

Skills

C/C++

Python

GNC design

Orbital mechanics

System engineering

Communication

Mathematical modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or physics

Tools

GMAT

STK/Astrogator

FreeFlyer

Job description

As a GNC Engineer at Argo, you will be a member of the team architecting the full simulation and flight control stack for Argo's refuellable in-space transport vehicles and other space systems. You will help drive the overall spacecraft system architecture, execute vehicle design and higher-level transportation system trade studies, and implement the spacecraft's attitude determination, trajectory optimization, guidance, and control systems. You will actively contribute to the full life cycle of GNC development at Argo, from early architectural decisions and design through to hardware in the loop testing, on-vehicle functionality, and flight operations. This will include development of Argo's high fidelity multi-degree of freedom simulation and test framework, supporting Monte Carlo analyses, and the development of the core GNC algorithms that fly our spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Drive mission performance for Argo's high-deltaV, refuellable transport spacecraft to make in-space transportation abundant and affordable
• Drive rapid execution and iteration efforts that put our spacecraft in orbit quickly
• Hands-on prototyping, troubleshooting, and testing of simulations, flight algorithms, and hardware in the loop testing
• Develop simulation and modeling tools to support vehicle and GNC trade studies
• Develop novel algorithms for low thrust trajectory optimization, RPOD, and spacecraft attitude control and orbit determination
• Select and size actuators and sensors to support spacecraft attitude control
• Negotiate requirements by having a deep understanding of the company and mission objectives and providing alternative solutions
• Conduct design reviews, test readiness reviews, and flight readiness reviews with a heavy emphasis on technical excellence

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering or physics discipline
• Capable of maintaining flexibility in direction under changing circumstances
• Track record of delivering novel, excellent technical products
• Demonstrated knowledge in designing, modeling, testing, and flying aerospace guidance, navigation, and control systems
• Understanding of orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development and modeling skills, particularly in C / C++ / Python
• Proven system engineering and configuration management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• 1+ years of experience of university design teams or internships designing complex control systems that operate in harsh environments (autonomous vehicles, drones, spacecraft, etc.)
• 2+ years of experience designing spacecraft control systems, algorithms, or trajectories
• 3+ years of experience designing complex control systems that operate in harsh environments (autonomous vehicles, drones, spacecraft, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with GMAT, AGI STK/Astrogator, FreeFlyer or similar trajectory design, analysis, and optimization tools
• Demonstrated experience with clean sheet GNC, simulation, software development, and conceptual spacecraft design, actuator sizing, and attitude determination and control
• Experience with spacecraft on-orbit operations
• Experience with rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking