GNC Engineer, ADCS (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Company stock options

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP, based in Redmond, is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer to develop high-performance algorithms for Starlink satellites. The ideal candidate will require a Bachelor's in aerospace engineering or equivalent, alongside experience in C++ or Python. Key responsibilities include software automation for satellite operations, technical documentation, and participation in hardware testing. The position offers an attractive salary range and comprehensive benefits, including stock options, medical coverage, and paid vacation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline.
• Software development experience in either C++ or Python.

Responsibilities

• Develop reliable GNC algorithms and simulations using C++ or Python.
• Participate in design and code reviews.
• Conduct bulk data analysis for system performance.
• Write technical documentation for algorithms and programs.
• Design GNC software for various mission scenarios.
• Engage in hardware-in-the-loop testing efforts.

Skills

C++

Python

Orbital mechanics

Control theory

State estimation

Systems design

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace, or physics

Tools

Simulation software

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SpaceX is looking for engineers with backgrounds in orbital mechanics, control theory, state estimation, spacecraft systems design, optimization, physics, and software development to join the Starlink guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) team. Come help us write the autopilot algorithms for thousands of satellites (the world's largest constellation!) and more than two million user terminals, enabling access to high-speed broadband internet in all corners of the world.

As a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) engineer on Starlink’s attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) team, you will be responsible for the software automation, operations, and system level design which keeps the satellites and their payloads properly oriented for the entire mission lifetime.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop highly reliable and performant GNC algorithms, simulations, tools, services, and dashboards using C++ or Python; Starlink GNC Engineers write actual production code, not just prototypes for transcription by another team
• Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews
• Bulk data analysis to review performance data from various elements of the Starlink constellation and network
• Write high quality technical documentation of programs, algorithms, or analysis
• Design and implementation of GNC software that can facilitate all mission concepts of operations across all phases of mission, including off-nominal/contingency scenarios
• Design of concepts of operations (CONOPs) that intelligently balance thermal constraints, power budgets, momentum management, communications, and payload-pointing needs
• Design, development, and flight software implementation of onboard GNC algorithms to achieve a high level of vehicle autonomy and fault tolerance while providing adequate translational and rotational navigation and control performance
• Update and maintain GNC software configurations for a variety of minor vehicle design revisions and mission sets
• High fidelity time domain 6DOF modeling and simulation of vehicle dynamics, sensors, actuators, algorithms, and all of their interactions
• Monte Carlo simulation analysis to validate safe and reliable flight and quantify navigation and control performance
• Heavy involvement in hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing efforts, including but not limited to test case design, data review automation, and modeling fidelity improvements
• Translational and Rotational state estimation and control systems design and optimization
• Vehicle design activities related to ADCS sensor and actuator hardware sizing and layout
• Develop, validate, and improve upon complex sensor, actuator, and dynamics models for use in 6DOF simulation analysis
• Maintain tight interfaces with other disciplines and subsystems (e.g. thermal, power, communications) to ensure a good and consistent system-level design
• Support your relevant on-call operations rotation, commanding satellites or reviewing network data to keep our network continuously operating at peak performance

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline
• Software development experience in either C++ or Python

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Some preferred skills and experience depend on the specific team within Starlink GNC.
• Master's degree or PhD in an engineering discipline or physics
• Developed, debugged and deployed software that has been used in real world applications/projects
• Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals
• Cradle to grave development of three axis stabilized spacecraft incorporating momentum, magnetic, and propulsive control
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, including low thrust trajectory optimization and stationkeeping
• Experience in verifying GNC algorithm performance via simulation, and validation of the simulation's models
• Experience with state estimation, particularly attitude determination, orbit determination, GNSS, and radio navigation
• General familiarity with the disciplines necessary for spacecraft flight including structures, propulsion, avionics, GNC, flight software, dynamics, launch and mission operations, and integration. Practical experience in real world development of these systems is highly desired
• Capable of identifying and solving complex problems with little to no supervision or direction
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range:

GNC Engineer/Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00 per year

GNC Engineer/Level II: $145,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Aff… plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].