Senior Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Senior GNC Engineer to lead the spacecraft GNC architecture development. This role involves executing trade studies, developing algorithms for attitude control, and ensuring flight readiness through robust analysis. You will support the launch operations of cutting-edge spacecraft, contributing to the evolution of space technology. Join a dynamic team where your expertise will be pivotal in shaping the future of aerospace exploration, and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including unlimited PTO and equity opportunities. If you're passionate about space and engineering, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Unlimited paid time off

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Equity in the company

Qualifications

• Experience with GNC actuator sizing and system design.
• Proven skills in implementing attitude control algorithms on spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate high-level vehicle architecture.
• Create algorithms for precise pointing of large structures.

Skills

GNC actuator or sensor sizing

Attitude control algorithms

Verification and validation of GNC flight software

Python

C/C++

Matlab

Julia

Tools

6-DOF simulation

HITL testing

Job description

Job Description

The Role

As a Senior GNC engineer, you will be a core driver of the overall spacecraft GNC architecture. You will execute detailed trade studies to find new and novel ways to implement the spacecraft’s guidance, attitude control, and attitude and orbit estimation systems. In the first 3 months, you will support the development of the control infrastructure, from discrete filter design in the time domain to thorough analysis in the frequency domain. Additionally, you will support the development of autonomous orbit raise for a vehicle to MEO and the associated navigation to support an autonomous orbit raise. In the first 6 months, you will own and execute the Verification and Validation plan for the GNC stack, driving the system to flight readiness via a robust and thorough analysis of vehicle performance in both nominal and off nominal environments. This push for flight readiness will motivate thorough analysis, leading to updates to both the GNC stack and the K2 6-DOF simulation. The expectation is that all GNC team members commit code to the 6-DOF sim as well as owning a portion of the GNC flight software.

In the first year, you will support launch and on orbit operations of the first full demonstration of the K2 spacecraft bus – the Mega. In parallel, you will support the block 2 upgrades of the GNC stack and 6-DOF sim, taking lessons learned from on orbit operations to increase the fidelity of the simulation and the vehicle performance of the GNC stack.

Responsibilities

• Work with other engineering leads to develop and validate a novel high level vehicle architecture.
• Develop novel algorithms for precise pointing of very large, flexible structures in earth orbit and beyond.
• Develop novel slewing algorithms of very large, flexible structures in earth orbit and beyond.
• Develop simulation and modeling tools to support vehicle and GNC trade studies. This includes mission design, controls analysis, and 6-DOF simulation development.
• Contribute to building the GNC organization by recruiting, hiring, and mentoring other engineers.

Qualifications

• Experience with GNC actuator or sensor sizing, selection, and system design.
• Experience with implementing attitude control and/or estimation algorithms on spacecraft.
• Experience with verification and validation of GNC flight software in an integrated environment, leveraging 6-DOF simulation and HITL testing.
• Experience with Python, Julia, C/C++, or Matlab for algorithm development, implementation, and simulation.

Nice to Have

• Experience with early-stage spacecraft conceptual design, i.e. “clean sheet” design work.
• Experience with control algorithm development.
• Experience with reaction wheel, control moment gyroscope, or thruster sizing and algorithm implementation.
• Experience with navigation, specifically Extended Kalman Filters.
• Experience with trajectory analysis, modeling, and mission design.
• Experience with Rust software development.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $150,000 - $200,000 + equity in the company.
• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level.
• Comprehensive benefits package including unlimited paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks.

If you don’t meet 100% of the skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged! If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.”

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, marital status, mental or physical condition, or any other legally protected status.