Guidance, Navigation And Control Engineer

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

Who We Are: 

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo,  we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on.  Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.

What You’ll Do:

The Senior Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer will lead the GNC subsystem development life cycle of Space Kinetic's platform. From concept development through mission operations, the Senior GNC engineer will be responsible for developing algorithms that can be implemented in FSW, tested in simulation / hardware environments, and monitored in flight. The Senior GNC Engineer will be responsible for the overall subsystem development schedule to include both hardware and software elements. The Senior GNC Engineer will work closely with other system elements to define interface requirements the GNC system. The Senior GNC Engineer will collaborate closely with subcontractors to ensure seamless integration and performance of the GNC system across all external and internal interfaces.

• Architect and implement a novel GNC design for a unique spacecraft platform
• Work with subcontractors to develop and integrate GNC software and hardware
• Own GNC subsystem level requirements
• Design of algorithms for FSW development
• Creates / Contributes to ground tools for constellation management
• Owns GNC component level hardware trades and selection
• Owns GNC level Verification and Validation (V&V) activities
• Conducts GNC design analysis and Monte Carlo simulations