Principal GNC Engineer Verified today

About Katalyst

Katalyst builds robotic spacecraft that enable dynamic space operations. By developing foundational capabilities for sustained, responsive operations in space, we enable a new era of space activity that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in contested domains.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture and Investigation

• Architect GNC solutions for space domain awareness and RPOD missions with emphasis on autonomy, from hardware and software perspectives.
• Evaluate and select appropriate techniques including machine learning, physics-informed solutions, stochastic methods, and Kalman Filters.
• Support proposal capture with feasibility analysis and partner engagement with Department of Defense, other government agencies, and commercial partners.

Architecture Design

• Develop architecture, lead trade studies, and lead GNC team from conceptualization to flight for RPOD missions.
• Design algorithms, simulations, and tools for orbit determination, state estimation, and uncertainty propagation.
• 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.
• 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.
• 5+ 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.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven startup atmosphere.
• Proven ability to lead projects from conception to completion.

Desired Qualifications

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

Additional Information

Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range: $180,000 - $280,000 annually. Eligible for Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, relocation bonus, and discretionary bonuses. Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.

Katalyst work on U.S. Department of Defense projects requires compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This role requires access to ITAR-controlled information. Non-US persons must be authorized for ITAR access before employment begins.