GNC Engineer Verified today

About Katalyst

Katalyst builds robotic spacecraft that enable dynamic space operations including maneuvering, refueling, upgrading and exploration. The role focuses on developing foundational capabilities for sustained, responsive operations in space.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture and Investigation

• Architect solutions for space domain awareness and RPOD (relative pose estimation and operations) with emphasis on autonomy, hardware and software.
• Evaluate and select techniques such as machine learning, physics-informed solutions, stochastic methods and Kalman filters.
• Support proposal capture with feasibility analysis and engagement with Department of Defense, government agencies and commercial partners.

Architecture Design

• Develop architecture, lead trade studies and manage GNC team from conceptualization to flight for RPOD missions.
• Design algorithms, simulations and tools for orbit determination, state estimation and uncertainty propagation to support space domain awareness efforts.
• Analyze and source datasets for algorithm training and validation.
• Build and test modeling and simulation tools for orbital and cislunar dynamics, sensor modeling and visualization.
• Perform six degree of freedom modeling, simulation and validation of spacecraft dynamics, sensors and algorithms.

Implementation

• Collaborate with software and GNC teams to implement algorithms in flight software.
• Support hardware-in-the-loop testing for integrated system validation.
• Design concepts of operations balancing thermal, power, momentum and communications for spacecraft missions.
• Provide mission operations training and support.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical engineering discipline.
• 0-3 years of experience in guidance, navigation and control.
• Software development experience in Python.
• Experience developing, debugging and deploying GNC sensors, effectors and algorithms in real world applications and projects.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, start-up environment.
• Proven ability to lead projects from conception to completion.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with cradle-to-grave spacecraft design, testing, verification, validation and in-orbit mission operations.
• Deep expertise in guidance, navigation or control.
• Multi-body astrodynamics experience.
• Experience with Git, Linux and Basilisk.
• Software development in C/C++.
• Ability to identify and solve complex problems with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Additional Requirements

Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed. Currently, available roles require access to ITAR-controlled information. Non-US persons must be authorized access to ITAR information before employment commencement.

Compensation

Base salary range: $90,000 - $150,000 annually, determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge, skills, education and experience. Benefits include employee stock options and equity plan, relocation bonus, discretionary bonuses, comprehensive medical, vision and dental coverage, and unlimited paid time off.