Guidance – Navigation @ Astranis

Astranis is on a mission to bridge the digital divide by connecting the four billion people worldwide who currently lack internet access. We’re doing this by building the next generation of smaller, more cost-effective spacecraft to bring the world online.

As a team, we’ve launched two satellites into orbit, signed ten commercial deals worth over $1 billion in revenue, raised over $500 million from top global investors, and recruited a team of over 300 world-class engineers. We all work out of our (legendary) San Francisco office, which was once used to build ships during the World Wars.

Our satellites, which operate from geostationary orbit (GEO), weigh only 400 kg and utilize a proprietary software-defined radio payload. Each satellite can connect over two million people, and we’re very excited for the impact we’ll soon have in the Philippines, Peru, Mexico, and more!

Backed by substantial funding and a passionate, collaborative team, we offer a rewarding work environment where you’ll learn and make a significant impact, no matter where you are in your career.

Apply and join us on our journey towards global connectivity!

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer

As a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer for Astranis, you will design, implement, and test algorithms to control the position and orientation of our satellites. Additionally, you will work across both software and hardware systems while overseeing the simulation and analysis of algorithms to validate and verify their effectiveness and robustness.

This role will contribute to both commercial and US Government Programs.

Role

Work within the Guidance, Navigation, and Control team to design, build, test, and operate satellite software and hardware for the GNC System
Software development including flight algorithms, simulation framework, and physics models
System design including make/buy trades, component selection, system sizing, and pointing budgets
Validation and verification through software simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and hardware in the loop testing
Concept of operations development, mission planning, and flight operation support
Hardware development including managing internal component build, external vendors, and subassembly bring-up and testing
Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team

Requirements

BS or MS degree in a technical discipline (e.g. engineering, CS, physics) with a focus on control systems, orbital mechanics, or similar
2+ years industry experience working with Guidance, Navigation, and Control systems on spacecraft
Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and testing control systems
Demonstrated experience modeling flexible body dynamics and mitigating their effects through system design and control systems
Demonstrated experience with estimation techniques such as sensor fusion (e.g. extended Kalman filters)
Demonstrated experience in developing 6-DOF simulations & flight software
Experience with Python (Numpy, Scipy), C++, and Git
A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment and doing hands-on design and development
Demonstrated ability to personally design, build, and test hardware and/or software from scratch
Don’t meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria

Bonus

Experience with orbit determination methods
Experience with indirect trajectory optimization
Experience with robotic manipulators
Experience with geostationary spacecraft operations
Experience with spacecraft propulsion
Experience with hardware in the loop simulations
Experience implementing algorithms for embedded systems

What we offer:

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.

Base pay is a single component of Astranis’s total rewards package, which may also include equity in the form of incentive stock options, high quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance benefits, flexible PTO, 401(K) retirement, and free on-site catered meals.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

Base Salary

$115,000—$140,000 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.

Role

Requirements

Bonus

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth

Benefits