GNC Engineer, ADCS (Starlink)

• Develop highly reliable and performant GNC algorithms, simulations, tools, services, and dashboards using C++ or Python; Starlink GNC Engineers write actual production code, not just prototypes for transcription by another team

• Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews

• Bulk data analysis to review performance data from various elements of the Starlink constellation and network

• Write high quality technical documentation of programs, algorithms, or analysis

• Design and implementation of GNC software that can facilitate all mission concepts of operations across all phases of mission, including off-nominal/contingency scenarios

• Design of concepts of operations (CONOPs) that intelligently balance thermal constraints, power budgets, momentum management, communications, and payload-pointing needs

• Design, development, and flight software implementation of onboard GNC algorithms to achieve a high level of vehicle autonomy and fault tolerance while providing adequate translational and rotational navigation and control performance

• Update and maintain GNC software configurations for a variety of minor vehicle design revisions and mission sets

• High fidelity time domain 6DOF modeling and simulation of vehicle dynamics, sensors, actuators, algorithms, and all of their interactions

• Monte Carlo simulation analysis to validate safe and reliable flight and quantify navigation and control performance

• Heavy involvement in hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing efforts, including but not limited to test case design, data review automation, and modeling fidelity improvements

• Translational and Rotational state estimation and control systems design and optimization

• Vehicle design activities related to ADCS sensor and actuator hardware sizing and layout

• Develop, validate, and improve upon complex sensor, actuator, and dynamics models for use in 6DOF simulation analysis

• Maintain tight interfaces with other disciplines and subsystems (e.g. thermal, power, communications) to ensure a good and consistent system-level design

• Support your relevant on-call operations rotation, commanding satellites or reviewing network data to keep our network continuously operating at peak performance

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline

• Software development experience in either C++ or Python

• Some preferred skills and experience depend on the specific team within Starlink GNC.

• Master's degree or PHD in an engineering discipline or physics

• Developed, debugged and deployed software that has been used in real world applications/projects

• Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals

• Cradle to grave development of three axis stabilized spacecraft incorporating momentum, magnetic, and propulsive control

• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, including low thrust trajectory optimization and stationkeeping

• Experience in verifying GNC algorithm performance via simulation, and validation of the simulation's models

• Experience with state estimation, particularly attitude determination, orbit determination, GNSS, and radio navigation

• General familiarity with the disciplines necessary for spacecraft flight including; structures, propulsion, avionics, GNC, flight software, dynamics, launch and mission operations, and integration. Practical experience in real world development of these systems is highly desired

• Capable of identifying and solving complex problems with little to no supervision or direction

• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .

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