Master's degree or higher in aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field
2+ years of experience in navigation, estimation, or sensor engineering for spacecraft
Strong grasp of estimation theory with hands-on experience implementing filters for real-time systems
Hands-on experience with navigation hardware in the lab
Proficiency in Python, Julia, C/C++, or Rust for algorithm development and simulation
Responsibilities
Design, implement, and verify onboard estimation algorithms for orbit and attitude determination
Develop high-altitude GNSS navigation capability for MEO and GEO
Improve measurement and system timing accuracy from sensor output to GNC ingestion
Develop and run GNC sensor calibration on the ground and in orbit
Select, specify, and integrate navigation sensors in fault-tolerant architectures
Build sensor models and estimation components in the simulation framework
Support on-orbit commissioning and navigation performance analysis during mission operations
Define pass/fail performance criteria for GNC hardware during acceptance testing
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, and life insurance
Paid parental leave
Equity in the company
Encouragement for non-traditional career paths and diverse experiences
Full Job Description
The Role
You will own the navigation and sensing chain that tells K2 spacecraft where they are, how they are oriented, from the physical sensor hardware all the way to the estimation algorithms and flight software executing those algorithms. This is a blend of a hands-on hardware and software role, requiring you to be the GNC point of contact with Avionics, flight software, and Test teams. In the first 6 months, you will help to design and characterize the software driver for the GNSS receivers, standing up develop testing to validate GNSS performance and link budgets as a function of altitude, and feeding these learnings back into both hardware and on board filter design. In the first year you will support multiple K2 launches of the stacked configuration, supporting operations as the GNC point of contact.
Responsibilities
Design, implement, and verify onboard estimation algorithms for orbit and attitude determination (EKF/MEKF/UKF, batch estimators, sensor fusion)
Develop high-altitude GNSS navigation capability for MEO and GEO, including sidelobe and weak-signal tracking, receiver selection, and onboard orbit filtering
Improve measurement and system timing accuracy from sensor output to GNC ingestion, ensuring low-latency and low-jitter navigation
Develop and run GNC sensor calibration on the ground and on orbit.
Select, specify, and integrate navigation sensors (GNSS receivers, IMUs, magnetometers, star trackers) in fault tolerant architectures to support robust next generation capabilities
Build sensor models and estimation components in our simulation framework, and bring algorithms from prototype into production flight software
Support on-orbit commissioning and navigation performance analysis during mission operations
Defining pass/fail performance criteria for GNC hardware during acceptance testing and supporting investigation of out-of-spec hardware
Shape the future of the GNC team by recruiting, interviewing, and mentoring engineers
Qualifications
Master's degree or higher in aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field
2+ years of experience in navigation, estimation, or sensor engineering for spacecraft.
Strong grasp of estimation theory, with hands-on experience implementing filters for real time systems
Hands-on experience with navigation hardware in the lab
Experience with Python, Julia, C/C++, or Rust for algorithm development, implementation, hardware test, and simulation
Nice to Have
Experience with early-stage spacecraft conceptual design, i.e. "clean sheet" design work
Previous experience with high altitude/cis-lunar GNSS architectures
Knowledge of GNSS link budgets and antenna pattern modeling
Experience with optics, such as star trackers, cameras, and optical navigation
Ability to characterize inertial sensors through Allan variance and PSD analysis to motivate both simulation and flight software development.
Experience with magnetometer calibration and bias compensation - design and operation of Helmholtz cage and zero gauss chamber.
Hands-on experience with GNSS simulators, attenuators, LNAs, and Spectrum Analyzer.
Experience with vehicle level polarity and run-for-record testing.
Basic power electronics and serial protocol + ethernet knowledge
Avionics radiation basics (transient and dose effects), how they manifest, and FDIR strategies at the hardware and software layer to mitigate these behaviors.
Exposure to environmental testing (SMC-S-016 and/or HALT/HASS) to facilitate root-cause-analysis investigations during acceptance/qualification testing of GNC components.
Compensation and Benefits:
Base salary range for this role is $110,000 - $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 paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
If you don't meet 100% of the preferred 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!
