Astrolab

Designs modular lunar rovers for exploration

GNC Engineer

Flight Dynamics & GNCPosted on Nov 10

Full-time$130k - $235k /yr

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)-related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 3 years of professional experience developing Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems.
Experience with Python and familiarity with C++.

Responsibilities

Define GNC subsystem and algorithm requirements.
Design, analyze, develop, tune, verify, and validate rover GNC algorithms, and support conversion of algorithm prototypes into flight software.
Contribute to development of the GNC simulation.
Work with avionics and other engineering teams to select GNC sensors, including IMUs, star trackers, cameras, and LiDARs.
Support GNC sensor characterization, calibration, and testing.
Support development of integrated hardware/software GNC subsystem testbeds.
Develop GNC algorithm documentation and work with the vehicle software team to convert prototypes into flight code, including supporting unit and integrated testing of flight implementations.
Work with the vehicle software, avionics, mobility, and integration and test teams to verify GNC subsystem implementation and performance.
Support field testing of GNC software using test vehicles in varying lighting and terrain conditions.
Develop GNC analysis and test plans and perform GNC analysis and testing on hardware-in-the-loop testbeds.
Support vehicle integration and testing of GNC functions.
Develop vehicle-level calibration plans and support vehicle-level calibrations.

Desired Qualifications

Experience developing path-planning, obstacle-avoidance, or similar algorithms.
Experience designing, tuning, and testing Extended Kalman Filters for vehicle state estimation.
Experience designing, tuning, and testing vehicle control algorithms, such as high-gain antenna pointing.
Experience building, testing, and validating GNC simulation tools.
Experience performing GNC performance analysis, including Monte Carlo analysis.
Experience supporting GNC development from initial concept through flight operations.
Experience collaborating across multidisciplinary engineering teams to mature GNC designs into flight software.
Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.

Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

As a GNC engineer at Astrolab, you will be responsible for designing, analyzing, and testing Guidance, Navigation, and Control algorithms for our lunar rover fleet. You will support development and maturation of GNC for crewed, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous rover operations. GNC engineers own hardware selection and characterization, algorithm development and tuning, algorithm and integrated performance analysis, and verification and validation for the GNC subsystem. You will work with simulated environment as well as test vehicles to design, mature, and prove GNC functionality and performance.

Note: Some travel may be required for this position

Define GNC subsystem and algorithm requirements
Design, analyze, develop, tune, verify, and validate rover GNC algorithms and support conversion of algorithm prototypes into FSW
Contribute to the development of the GNC simulation
Work with avionics and other engineering teams to select GNC sensors such as IMUs, star trackers, cameras, LiDARs, etc.
Support GNC sensor characterization, calibration, and testing
Support development of integrated hardware/software GNC subsystem testbeds
Develop GNC algorithm documentation and work with vehicle software team to convert prototypes into flight code, including supporting unit and integrated testing of flight implementations
Work with vehicle software team, avionics team, mobility team, and integration and test team to verify GNC subsystem implementation and performance
Support field testing of GNC software using test vehicles in a variety of lighting and terrain conditions
Develop GNC analysis and test plans and perform GNC analysis and testing on hardware in the loop testbeds
Support vehicle integration and testing of GNC functions
Develop vehicle level calibration plans and support vehicle level calibrations

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
3+ years of professional experience developing Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems
Experience with Python and familiarity with C++

Preferred Qualifications

Experience developing path planning, obstacle avoidance, or similar algorithms
Experience designing, tuning, and testing Extended Kalman Filters for vehicle state estimation.
Experience designing, tuning, and testing vehicle control algorithms (e.g., high-gain antenna pointing)
Experience building, testing, and validating GNC simulation tools
Experience performing GNC performance analysis, including Monte Carlo analysis
Experience supporting GNC development from initial concept through flight operations
Experience collaborating across multidisciplinary engineering teams to mature GNC designs into flight software
Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills

About the Company

Astrolab

Designs modular lunar rovers for exploration

Astrolab designs and builds modular rovers for lunar and extraterrestrial surface missions. Its flagship FLEX rover is a modular, reusable vehicle that can transport cargo, equipment, and crew across the Moon. The system works by using interchangeable payload modules on a shared rover chassis, allowing rapid reconfiguration for different mission profiles—from cargo delivery to astronaut transport—without needing a new vehicle. The rover is designed to be compatible with existing and planned space infrastructure, including NASA’s Artemis program, enabling integration with governmental and commercial lunar operations. What sets Astrolab apart is its emphasis on a single, adaptable platform with modular payloads that can handle a range of tasks and mission profiles, rather than many specialized, single-use machines. The company aims to enable a sustained lunar presence and expanded human activity beyond Earth by providing reliable, flexible surface mobility.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Hawthorne, CA
Founded: 2019

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