Senior GNC Engineer

Katalyst Space Technologies; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Option Plan

Relocation bonus

Discretionary bonuses

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Katalyst Space Technologies is hiring for an experienced GNC architect to lead the development of autonomy-focused logic for RPOD missions. You will work on architecture, simulations, and flight software integration in a fast-paced startup environment in Colorado.

Expect to lead a team from concept to flight, develop robust GNC sensors and algorithms, and collaborate across hardware and software domains while embracing ITAR compliance and demanding schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of experience working in guidance, navigation, and control.
• Software development experience in Python.
• Experience developing, debugging, and deploying GNC sensors, effectors and algorithms.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced start-up atmosphere.
• Proven ability to lead a project from conception to completion.
• Experience with cradle-to-grave spacecraft design and in-orbit operations.
• Expertise in either guidance, navigation or control.
• Experience with multi-body astrodynamics and related tools.

Responsibilities

• Architect solutions for space mission objectives focusing on autonomy, hardware and software.
• Evaluate techniques including ML, physics-informed methods, stochastic approaches.
• Lead trade studies and guide GNC team from concept to flight.
• Design algorithms and simulations for orbit determination and state estimation.
• Build and test modeling tools for orbital dynamics and sensor modeling.
• Collaborate with software and GNC teams to implement algorithms in flight software.
• Support hardware-in-the-loop testing and system validation.

Skills

Python

C/C++

GNC

Machine learning

Kalman Filters

Git

Linux

Basilisk

Team leadership

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical engineering discipline

Tools

Basilisk

Git

Linux

Job description

We build robotic spacecraft that enable dynamic space operations, creating a futurewhere maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, and exploration are as routine as they are onEarth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What youdo there is the future. We are not building the trains. We arebuilding the machines thatlay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained,responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space activity that strengthensnational security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Katalyst Culture:

Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding. You’ll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real. We value humility, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way, even when it’s harder. You’ll work closely with thoughtful, driven teammates who push each other to do their best.

Key Responsibilities:

Architecture and Investigation

• Architect solutions necessary to accomplish space mission objectives around space domain awareness and RPOD with an emphasis on autonomy, from both a hardware and software perspective.
• Evaluate and select appropriate techniques to achieve mission such as machine learning methods, physics-informed solutions, stochastic methods, Kalman Filters, etc.
• Assist in proposal capture efforts with feasibility analysis and engage with private/public partners, Department of Defense, Other Government Agencies, and other commercial partnerships.
• Develop architecture, lead trade studies and lead GNC team from conceptualization to flight for RPOD missions
• Design algorithms, simulations, and tools for orbit determination, state estimation, uncertainty propagation to support SDA efforts
• Analyze and source datasets for training and validation or algorithm performance.
• Build and test modeling and simulation tools for orbital/cislunar dynamics, sensor modeling, and visualization.
• Six degree of freedom modeling, simulation and validation of space craft dynamics, sensors and algorithms, including for RPOD missions.

Implementation

• Collaborate with the software and GNC teams to implement algorithm in flight software.
• Heavily support hardware-in-the-loop testing for integrated system validation.
• Design concepts of operations (CONOPS) that balance thermal, power, momentum and communications for spacecraft missions.
• Provide mission operations training and support.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical engineering discipline
• 3+ years of experience working in guidance, navigation, and control
• Software development experience in Python
• Experience developing, debugging, and deploying GNC sensors, effectors and algorithms that have been used in real world applications/projects
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
• Proven ability to lead a project from conception to completion
• Experience with cradle-to-grave spacecraft design, testing, verification/validation and in-orbit mission operations
• Expertise in either guidance, navigation or control
• Experience with multi-body astrodynamics
• Experience with Git, Linux and Basilisk
• Software development experience in C/C++
• Capable of identifying and solving complex problems with little to no supervision or direction
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Compensation and Benefits: Your 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. The anticipated salary range for this role is $140,000 - $240,000 annually.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.

At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently, our available roles necessitate access to ITAR-controlled information, and as a result, Katalyst would have to ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.