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ispace

Lunar payload transport and data services

Spacecraft Descent Guidance, Navigation, and Control System Engineer

Flight Dynamics & GNCConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeTokyo, JapanNo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

  • At least 5 years of experience developing Guidance, Navigation, and Control subsystems, including algorithm and sensor modeling and performance evaluation.
  • At least 5 years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering, including failure mode analysis.
  • A good understanding of software development processes and experience using C/C++, Python, and software control systems such as Git.
  • Experience with closed-loop frameworks such as Model-in-the-Loop, Software-in-the-Loop, Processor-in-the-Loop, and Hardware-in-the-Loop, including developing models and interfaces for sensors and actuators such as IMUs, star trackers, LiDARs, cameras, and propulsion systems.
  • Hands-on experience with system-level spacecraft testing, including SCLT, DOLT, and DCLT.
  • Proven experience developing vision-based navigation systems.
  • Business-level English communication skills.
  • Experience developing Guidance, Navigation, and Control subsystems, including algorithms and sensors, and modeling and performance evaluation, is preferred at 10 or more years.
  • Experience in spacecraft systems engineering is preferred at 10 or more years.
  • Experience developing sensors such as laser range finders, LiDAR, and cameras is preferred.
  • Experience integrating software using different programming languages, including C/C++, Python, and MATLAB, is preferred.
  • Experience with real-time flight software implementations is preferred.
  • Experience with MATLAB/Simulink is preferred.
  • Business-level Japanese communication skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the lunar lander landing system's end-to-end development, including design, verification, and operations, from the Guidance, Navigation, and Control subsystem perspective.
  • Design Entry, Descent and Landing Guidance, Navigation, and Control functions and perform related analyses, including guidance and control law design and analysis, control performance analysis, thruster duty and delta-v analyses, attitude dynamics analysis, sloshing and flexible dynamics analysis, navigation filter design, covariance analysis, and evaluation of Guidance, Navigation, and Control sensors, using control engineering tools and in-house software.
  • Plan, implement, and execute landing-system verification and validation, from component-level Guidance, Navigation, and Control sensor work through system-level tests including SCLT, DOLT, and DCLT.
  • Design frameworks for Guidance, Navigation, and Control Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis and Mission Critical Fault and Mitigation Analysis methodologies, and execute fault scenarios to validate the robustness of landing operations.
  • Coordinate technical matters and subsystem interfaces with systems engineering and other subsystems, including propulsion, structures, thermal, avionics, flight software, mission planning, and operations, based on a deep understanding of Guidance, Navigation, and Control requirements, design, constraints, and operations, including vision-based navigation.
  • Define landing Guidance, Navigation, and Control flight software and algorithm requirements specifications.
  • Define landing Guidance, Navigation, and Control unit specifications as a flow-down of system requirements and design specifications.
  • Support lander system design by providing Guidance, Navigation, and Control feasibility studies and design inputs for system trade-offs, including actuator and sensor configuration and selection, component layout, controllability, delta-v, and reaction control system budget.
  • Support the technical and theoretical selection, verification, and operational readiness of key spacecraft components, including IMUs, star trackers, LiDARs, cameras, and propulsion systems.
  • Support design and troubleshooting of Guidance, Navigation, and Control flight software algorithms and components, and propose solutions to mitigate subsystem errors and malfunctions.
  • Document Guidance, Navigation, and Control subsystem technical specifications, including the functions and relationships with other subsystems.
  • Support development studies for space vehicles for future missions.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience developing sensors such as laser range finders, LiDAR, and cameras.
  • Experience integrating software using different programming languages, including C/C++, Python, and MATLAB.
  • Experience with real-time flight software implementations.
  • Experience with MATLAB/Simulink.
  • Business-level Japanese communication skills.

About the Company

ispace

Lunar payload transport and data services

ispace develops lunar exploration and resource development, offering two main services: Payload Services, which transports customer payloads to lunar orbit or the surface using its robotic landers and rovers, and Data Services, which collects and provides lunar data for mission planning and surface development. It differentiates itself by owning its own lunar hardware, using agile development with commercially off-the-shelf components to cut costs, and pursuing a cadence of Hakuto-R missions to establish a regular cislunar transport system, while partnering with NASA under CLPS and with ESA. Its goal is to enable a growing lunar economy by delivering reliable, affordable access to the Moon for scientists, governments, and industry and by advancing the utilization of lunar resources such as water ice.

Company size
201-500
Company stage
IPO
Headquarters
Tokyo, Japan
Founded
2010

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