As a GNC RPOD Engineer with our client, you will be an integral part of the team designing the full simulation and flight control stack for refuellable in-space transport vehicles and other space systems.
You will actively contribute to the full life cycle of GNC development, from early architectural decisions and design through to hardware-in-the-loop testing, on-vehicle functionality, and flight operations. This includes developing a high-fidelity multi-degree-of-freedom simulation and test framework, supporting Monte Carlo analyses, and creating the core GNC algorithms that fly their spacecraft.
Responsibilities:
- Drive mission performance for high-deltaV, refuellable transport spacecraft to make in-space transportation abundant and affordable.
- Lead rapid execution and iteration efforts to quickly put spacecraft in orbit.
- Engage in hands-on prototyping, troubleshooting, and testing of simulations, flight algorithms, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
- Develop simulation and modeling tools to support vehicle and GNC trade studies.
- Create novel algorithms for low thrust trajectory optimization, RPOD, and spacecraft attitude control and orbit determination.
- Select and size actuators and sensors for spacecraft attitude control.
- Negotiate requirements by understanding company and mission objectives and providing alternative solutions.
- Conduct design reviews, test readiness reviews, and flight readiness reviews with a focus on technical excellence.
Qualifications:
- 3+ years of experience designing complex control systems for harsh environments (e.g., autonomous vehicles, drones, spacecraft).
- Demonstrated knowledge in designing, modeling, testing, and flying aerospace guidance, navigation, and control systems.
- Understanding of orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development, particularly in C/C++/Python/MATLAB/Simulink.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in engineering or physics.
- Experience with trajectory design, analysis, and optimization tools such as GMAT, AGI STK/Astrogator, or FreeFlyer.
- Demonstrated experience with clean sheet GNC, simulation, software development, and conceptual spacecraft design, actuator sizing, and attitude determination and control.
- Experience with spacecraft on-orbit operations.
- Experience with rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking.
