Software Engineer I or II: State Estimation & Prediction

Lodestar; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity incentives

Flexible PTO

Medical, dental & vision coverage

401(k) match

Job summary

Lodestar in Los Angeles is seeking a Graduate Software Engineer (I or II) focused on state estimation and prediction for our MITHRIL autonomy platform. You will research, design, and implement algorithms that fuse probabilistic estimation with machine learning to track targets and forecast trajectories.

Join an engineering culture that emphasizes extreme ownership as you collaborate across perception, autonomy, and simulation teams to deliver robust, real-time solutions for space domain

Qualifications

• Degree in CS, aerospace, robotics, or applied mathematics completed within 24 months or before start date.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python demonstrated via coursework or projects.
• Strong background in probabilistic state estimation and Bayesian methods.
• Experience with deep learning frameworks (PyTorch or TensorFlow).
• Familiarity with trajectory modelling and orbital mechanics.
• Ability to communicate reasoning clearly on open-ended problems.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement core state estimation and prediction architecture for autonomous spacecraft.
• Research and train estimation algorithms, from literature review to deployment.
• Implement and benchmark classical and neural estimators for real-time tracking.
• Build neural models forecasting future trajectories and behaviors of targets.
• Develop intent inference models to rank threat levels.
• Integrate models into mission simulations and autonomy systems.
• Collaborate with perception and on-board autonomy teams to ensure fidelity and scalability.

Skills

C++

Python

Probabilistic state estimation

Kalman filters

Particle filters

Bayesian inference

Deep learning (PyTorch/TensorFlow)

Sequence modelling (seq2seq, RNNs, LST

Trajectory modelling

Orbital mechanics

Open-ended problem solving

Communication of reasoning

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in CS/Aerospace/Robotics/Applied Mathematics

Tools

CUDA

TensorRT

Linux

Git

CI/CD

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About Lodestar

Lodestar's mission is to develop the first "Protect and Defend" capability for high-value space assets in orbit. Our flagship product

About Lodestar

Lodestar's mission is to develop the first "Protect and Defend" capability for high-value space assets in orbit. Our flagship product MITHRIL is our hardware-agnostic, AI-enabled autonomy software suite that enables us to augment any off-the-shelf spacecraft with the ability to autonomously detect, characterise, and reversibly neutralise orbital threats. By building on the proven space heritage of our best-in-class satellite-bus partners and fully integrating MITHRIL into single unified platform, we deliver an end-to-end, autonomous in-space bodyguarding service.

About the Job

At Lodestar, as a Graduate Software Engineer (I or II): State Estimation & Prediction, you’ll be leading the development of our state estimation and prediction models at the core of Lodestar’s flagship product, MITHRIL. You’ll be focusing on researching and developing algorithms that fuse probabilistic estimation with machine learning to track targets, predict trajectories and assess intent.

We proudly have an "extreme ownership" oriented engineering culture.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute to the design and implementation of Lodestar's core state estimation and prediction architecture for autonomous spacecraft operations
• Support research into novel estimation and prediction algorithms, from literature review through training and tuning to optimisation and deployment
• Implement, test, and benchmark classical and neural estimators that track the current state and trajectory of multiple dynamic targets in real time
• Build and evaluate neural models that forecast future trajectories and behavioural patterns of targets
• Assist in the development of intent inference models that identify actions and dynamically rank threat levels
• Integrate state estimation and prediction models into mission simulation environments and autonomy decision systems
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including perception and on-board autonomy, to ensure prediction fidelity, robustness, and scalability across missions

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, completed within the last 24 months or due to be completed before your start date
• Working proficiency in C++ and Python, evidenced through coursework, research, internships, or personal projects
• Grounding in probabilistic state estimation (Kalman filters, particle filters, Bayesian inference), whether from taught modules, research, or self-directed work
• Practical exposure to a deep learning framework (PyTorch, TensorFlow), including sequence modelling (seq2seq, RNNs, LSTMs, Transformers)
• Familiarity with trajectory modelling, multi-body dynamics, or orbital mechanics
• Demonstrated ability to work through open-ended technical problems and communicate your reasoning clearly

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Internship, industrial placement, or research assistantship in aerospace, robotics, estimation, or a related field
• A dissertation, thesis, or capstone project in state estimation, sensor fusion, or trajectory forecasting
• Experience applying sequence-to-sequence models to forecasting problems in dynamic environments
• Familiarity with sensor fusion techniques (e.g. combining radar, optical, and inertial data)
• Exposure to GPU acceleration (CUDA, TensorRT) for neural network training and inference
• Experience with Linux, Git, and CI/CD pipelines
• Familiarity with containerisation tools such as Docker and Kubernetes
• Awareness of real-time systems, multi-threading, and performance optimisation
• Understanding of networking and communication protocols for distributed autonomy systems
• Contributions to open-source projects, or participation in student rocketry, CubeSat, robotics, or autonomous vehicle teams

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Compensation & Benefits

Our full band structure for this role:

• (P1) Entry: $99,000 - $133,000 / year
• (P2) Developing: $115,000 - $174,000 / year

• Meaningful equity incentives as part of our employee option pool
• Flexible PTO with generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match

Based in Los Angeles

Additional Information

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options , and access to medical, vision and dental coverage, as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan .

Lodestar is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Lodestar 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.