Optical Navigation Lead for Space Missions (Remote)

Intuitive Machines LLC; Denver (CO); Remote; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Machines LLC seeks an experienced Senior Optical Navigation Engineer (Level IV) to lead our Flight Dynamics – Interplanetary efforts, guiding complex optical navigation systems and software across multiple missions.

You will oversee design, analysis, calibration, and testing of ground-based and onboard sensors, coordinate with partners, drive software strategy, and mentor large teams through conception to delivery, traveling as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with extensive relevant engineering experience delivering complex optical navigation systems and software.
• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Astronomy, Planetary Science, Optics, Physics, or related discipline.
• Extensive knowledge of multiple optical navigation disciplines, such as celestial navigation, terrain-relative navigation, observational astronomy, astrodynamics, or computer vision (classical and/or AI/ML), supported by strong software engineering skills.
• Proficiency in Python and C/C++, with demonstrated software architecture and technical leadership across teams or programs, including mission-critical development and testing.
• Experience with Linux, Python package management such as Conda/mamba, and configuration management such as git.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve ambiguous, system-level problems, apply advanced techniques, and guide engineering quality, verification, and risk mitigation under operational pressure.
• Excellent technical, communication, and interpersonal skills, including multidisciplinary collaboration, customer coordination, technical documentation, and executive presentations.
• Demonstrated leadership of large work groups or teams, mentoring, and delivery of multiple projects within schedule and budget. Ability to guide technical strategy, engineering standards, and long-term capability development.
• Must be available to travel for team meetings and critical operations support as needed.
• Must be willing to cross-train in other deep space navigation disciplines as required to maintain our multi-mission workforce.
• Must be a US Citizen.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning and design of multiple ground-based and on-board optical navigation and camera systems. Drive development, feasibility studies, modeling, and analysis; participate in prototype, functional, and flight testing to validate performance, reliability, safety, and flight readiness.
• Support commercial lunar programs including the NOVA lunar landers and interplanetary projects such as NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX and Lucy missions.
• Lead and perform operational analyses, camera/system calibration, observation planning, and image processing; develop planetary shape models and digital terrain maps of asteroids and the Moon.
• Coordinate analyses with industry and mission partners. Work with spacecraft subsystem engineers, scientists, and other stakeholders to define objectives, requirements, and deliverables and resolve complex system interfaces.
• Shape software strategy, architecture, and development practices across teams and programs, including flight software and analysis tools. Guide unit testing, peer review, configuration control, and long‑term software capability development.
• Serve as a trusted technical resource across missions, resolving complex system‑level and cross‑disciplinary problems. Lead research and continuous improvement using current technologies and sound long‑term engineering judgment.
• Oversee quality control, verification, and testing against specifications and applicable aerospace and safety standards. Mitigate technical risks and guide accurate execution during high‑pressure mission activities.
• Oversee technical reports, system and software documentation, and presentations for the navigation team and stakeholders. Maintain accurate records of progress and technical decisions; communicate results, risks, and issues to executives.
• Lead large technical teams and multiple projects from conception through completion. Oversee plans, schedules, and budgets, optimize cost and effort, and remain accountable for project objectives and delivery.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Linux

Software architecture

Leadership

Communication

Estimation

Cross-team collaboration

Mentoring

Travel readiness

Education

Aerospace Engineering

Astrodynamics

Optics

Tools

git

NAIF SPICE

OpenCV

GIANT API

NASA cFS

Unreal Engine

VIRA

Vulkan

Job description

Intuitive Machines LLC seeks an experienced Senior Optical Navigation Engineer (Level IV) to lead our Flight Dynamics – Interplanetary efforts, guiding complex optical navigation systems and software across multiple missions.

You will oversee design, analysis, calibration, and testing of ground-based and onboard sensors, coordinate with partners, drive software strategy, and mentor large teams through conception to delivery, traveling as needed.