SpaceX
Aerospace
GNCEngineer,ADCS(Starlink)
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid+ candidates.
“GNC Engineer, ADCS (Starlink) at SpaceX. Skills: GNC algorithms, orbital mechanics, control theory, state estimation, spacecraft systems design, software development, C++, Python. Develop highly reliable and performant GNC algorithms, simulations, tools, services, and dashboards using C++ or Starlink GNC Engineers write actual production code, not just prototypes for transcription by another team. Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews”
What You'll Achieve.
enable access to high-speed broadband internet in all corners of the world; keeps the satellites and their payloads properly oriented for the entire mission lifetime; achieve a high level of vehicle autonomy and fault tolerance while providing adequate translational and rotational navigation and control performance; validate safe and reliable flight and quantify navigation and control performance; keep our network continuously operating at peak performance
Industry & Context.
exceptional analytical skills; Capable of identifying and solving complex problems with little to no supervision or direction
on-call operations rotation, U. S. citizen or national, U. S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), Refugee under 8 U. S. C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U. S. C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U. S. Department of State.
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline, Software development experience in either C++ or Python
Nice to Have
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, 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 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
What You'll Do.
Develop highly reliable and performant GNC algorithms
and dashboards using C++ or Starlink GNC Engineers write actual production code
not just prototypes for transcription by another team
Participate in architecture
Bulk data analysis to review performance data from various elements of the Starlink constellation and network
Write high quality technical documentation of programs
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
and payload-pointing needs
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
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
and improve upon complex sensor
and dynamics models for use in 6DOF simulation analysis
Maintain tight interfaces with other disciplines and subsystems (e. g. thermal
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
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Maintain tight interfaces with other disciplines and subsystems (e. g. thermal, power, communications) to ensure a good and consistent system-level design
Communication Scope
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
Full Job Description
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. GNC ENGINEER, ADCS (STARLINK) SpaceX is looking for engineers with backgrounds in orbital mechanics, control theory, state estimation, spacecraft systems design, optimization, physics, and software development to join the Starlink guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) team. Come help us write the autopilot algorithms for thousands of satellites (the world's largest constellation!) and more than two million user terminals, enabling access to high-speed broadband internet in all corners of the world. As a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) engineer on Starlink’s attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) team, you will be responsible for the software automation, operations, and system level design which keeps the satellites and their payloads properly oriented for the entire mission lifetime. RESPONSIBILITIES: 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 al
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