Senior GNC Engineer Verified today
About Katalyst
Katalyst builds robotic spacecraft that enable dynamic space operations. You'll work on foundational capabilities for sustained, responsive on-orbit activities including maneuvering, upgrading, refueling and exploration.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture and Investigation
- Architect GNC solutions for space domain awareness and RPOD missions, emphasizing autonomy in hardware and software.
- Evaluate and select techniques such as machine learning, physics-informed solutions, stochastic methods, and Kalman Filters.
- Conduct feasibility analysis for proposals and engage with Department of Defense, Government Agencies, and commercial partners.
Architecture Design
- Develop architecture and lead GNC team from conceptualization to flight for RPOD missions.
- Design algorithms, simulations and tools for orbit determination, state estimation, and uncertainty propagation.
- 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.
- Analyze and source datasets for algorithm training and validation.
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 that balance thermal, power, momentum and communications.
- Provide mission operations training and support.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a technical engineering discipline
- 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
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven startup atmosphere
- 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
- Expertise in guidance, navigation or control
- Experience with multi-body astrodynamics
- 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 Requirements
Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed. ITAR compliance required: applicants must be authorized for access to ITAR-controlled information or be a US person eligible for such authorization.
Compensation
Base salary range: $140,000 - $240,000 annually. Eligible for Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, relocation bonus, discretionary bonuses, comprehensive medical/vision/dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.