B.S. in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, physics, or related field
5+ years of experience or PhD with 3+ years relevant experience
Expertise in designing, modeling, testing, and flying aerospace GNC systems
Strong software development skills in C++ and Python
Knowledge of orbital mechanics and simulation
Experience fitting models to test data or simulations
Proven system engineering and configuration management skills
Excellent communication skills
Responsibilities
Specify ADCS hardware performance, including sizing of components
Design and implement autonomous satellite control algorithms
Perform trajectory design and optimization for reentry
Develop vehicle simulation using C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink
Run Monte Carlo analysis for vehicle performance
Integrate and test GNC sensors and software in hardware-in-the-loop
Design ground tooling for automated maneuver scheduling
Monitor on-orbit system performance and troubleshoot as needed
Benefits
Flexible PTO policy plus 12 paid holidays
100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
$120/month wellness reimbursement for fitness expenses
12 weeks of parental leave with supplemental disability for CA mothers
401(k) with 6% employer match, immediately vested
Fully stocked kitchen with daily lunch and weekly dinners
Company events and celebrations to foster team bonding
Relocation support for new hires if needed
Full Job Description
About This Role
As a Senior Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer, you will own the full life cycle of GNC development at Varda, from design through to unit, hardware-in-the-loop, on-vehicle functionality, and flight testing. You will perform system analyses, including simulations and Monte Carlo, to satisfy specifications and requirements and to drive system-level architectural and business decisions. You will contribute to a sophisticated multi-degree of freedom in-house aerospace simulation and test framework and develop and maintain design descriptions and supporting documentation. You'll see end to end execution of the GNC subsystem from initial analysis/design through vehicle integration, mission planning and flight through support of on-orbit and reentry mission operations. Responsibilities
ADCS hardware performance specification including sizing of reaction wheels, torque rods, IMU/GPS, and star trackers
Design and implementation of autonomous satellite attitude control, collision avoidance, orbital rendezvous, burn planning and atmospheric re-entry algorithms
Perform trajectory design, optimization, and dispersion analysis for the reentry of a space capsule
Develop 6 degree of freedom vehicle simulation using C++, Python and MATLAB/Simulink
Running Monte Carlo analysis to characterize performance of new vehicle and mission capabilities
Integration and testing of GNC sensors, actuators, and software in hardware-in-the-loop environment
Design and implementation of ground tooling necessary to facilitate fully automated maneuver responsibility and maneuver scheduling decisions
Monitoring on-orbit system performance; troubleshooting where necessary
Coordination with other spacecraft operators, 3rd party agencies, and the US government
Basic Qualifications
B.S. degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, physics, or related field
5+ proven years of experience, or PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience
Demonstrated knowledge in designing, modeling, testing, and flying aerospace guidance, navigation, and control systems
Highly adept software and model development skills, particularly in C++/Python
Understanding of orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development
Experience anchoring/fitting first principles models to test data or high-fidelity external simulations
Proven system engineering and configuration management skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Preferred Skills and Experience
Master's degree in engineering or physics
Experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control system design
Experience with GMAT, POST2, or similar tools
Understanding of multi-body dynamics, flexible body dynamics, gas dynamics, fluids, and thermodynamics
Experience developing and verifying physical models for the purpose of control design, component sizing, and system performance evaluation
Experience supporting safety critical flight tests or spacecraft
Ability to continuously manage risk and provide solutions with lean and state of the art software development techniques
Pay Range
Salary range: Senior: $169,067 - $216,031/per year
This role is on-sitein El Segundo, CA
Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards
Benefits
Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.
Regular Full-Time Positions:
Health & Wellness
Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Financial & Retirement
Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
Relocation support for new hires, if needed
Workplace Experience & Perks
Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
Complimentary EV charging
Intern Positions:
Health & Wellness
Paid observed holidays
100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Financial
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible
Workplace Experience & Perks
Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
