Location: This role is based on site at our Louisville, Colorado office, with the option to work two days a week remotely.
Travel: Up to 5%, domestic or international.
Job ID: 576
The RoleAs a Staff Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of the Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) and Propulsion subsystems for a constellation of radar imaging spacecraft and future quantum space missions. You will serve as a cognizant engineer for GNC hardware and software. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers to ensure existing spacecraft meet their mission objectives and to design and develop next- generation systems. Your work will have a direct impact on spacecraft performance and the overall technical success of Capella.
This role sits in the Spacecraft Engineering organization, alongside systems, thermal, electrical/harnessing, mechanical/deployables, radar/communications, and flight software engineers.
Responsibilities- Drive the full lifecycle for ADCS and Propulsion systems supporting a constellation of spacecraft: design, build, test, on-orbit operations, and decommissioning.
- Generate and own ADCS and Propulsion systems performance requirements to satisfy high-level mission objectives.
- Lead research and development for new spacecraft subsystems, working from first principles to develop and execute complex trade studies, conduct system sizing and design, and present at program-level design reviews.
- Be a technical authority on control theory. Design and implement state estimators and control algorithms for the localization and pointing of cutting-edge quantum missions and radar-imaging spacecraft.
- Develop custom software tools to automate engineering workflows, support design studies, and enhance spacecraft on-orbit operational efficiency.
- Build high fidelity software simulations to model spacecraft dynamics and system behavior.
- Act as a subject matter expert for all things ADCS and Propulsion.
- Serve as the technical contact for external ADCS and Propulsion vendors and partners and keep informed of the broader industry landscape.
- Occasional travel may be required.
Requirements- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or related technical field.
- 5+ years of experience with GNC, ADCS, or control systems, on spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or UAVs/drones.
- Solid understanding of state estimation/filtering and applications.
- Solid understanding of rigid body and flexible dynamics.
- Demonstrated leadership of hardware development projects.
- Familiarity with orbital dynamics and the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space environment.
- Familiarity with a scripting language such as Python or MATLAB.
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Preferred Qualifications - Familiarity with GNC/ADCS hardware: star trackers, sun sensors, reaction wheels, torque rods, control moment gyroscopes, propulsion systems, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, GPS, etc.
- Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or C/C++, and experience developing software for flight applications.
- Experience dealing with unknowns, quantifying risk, navigating uncertainty, and handling the pressure of a real-time operating environment.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and cross-functionally.
- Enjoyment of learning and teaching new skills.
CompensationThe approximate base salary range for this position is $145,920 - $181,949. The total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits available on our career site.
Benefits/Perks In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:
- We provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options.
- Stock option grants for new hires
- 401K Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
- Generous Parental Leave
- Paid Flexible Time Off Policy
- Lifestyle Spending Account
- Commuter & Parking Benefits
- Mental Health Resources
- Monthly Phone Stipend
- Daily provided lunches and stocked kitchens.
- Furry friends? We've got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options
