Impulse Space

In-space propulsion and payload mobility

Senior Navigation Engineer

Flight Dynamics & GNCConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeBoulder, CO, USA$145k - $175k /yrIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or a related field is required.
At least five years of demonstrated experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, or estimation is required.
Proficiency in MATLAB and C++ is required.
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing Kalman filters for rocket or space applications is required.

Responsibilities

Own the state estimation and orbit determination systems that enable vehicles to determine their position and trajectory across development and operations.
Design, develop, and tune navigation and estimation algorithms, including extended Kalman filters, unscented Kalman filters, and batch and sequential estimators, for spacecraft and high-delta-v orbital transfer vehicles.
Perform spacecraft navigation analyses, including orbit determination, attitude determination, astrodynamic trajectories, covariance analysis, and navigation error budgets.
Develop and validate sensor and measurement models for inertial measurement units, global navigation satellite systems and GPS, star trackers, optical and relative navigation, and radiometric measurements.
Implement navigation algorithms in C++ flight code and support software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop integration and testing.
Run Monte Carlo analyses to characterize navigation performance under dispersed and off-nominal conditions.
Generate navigation verification data across the company's missions.
Support navigation operations, including real-time orbit determination, console support, and anomaly response during critical mission phases.
Communicate navigation design needs, intent, performance, trade-offs, and risks to the broader engineering team.

As a Senior Navigation Engineer at Impulse Space, you will own the state estimation and orbit determination systems that let our vehicles know where they are and where they're going, across all phases of development and operation, while working closely with a fast-paced, agile team. You will design, implement, and validate the navigation filters and sensor-fusion techniques that fly our spacecraft and orbital transfer vehicles in LEO, GEO, and cislunar space, as well as perform astrodynamic analyses required for mission success.

Design, develop, and tune navigation and estimation algorithms (EKF/UKF, batch/sequential estimators) for spacecraft and high-ΔV orbital transfer vehicles.
Perform spacecraft navigation analyses: orbit determination, attitude determination, astrodynamic trajectories, covariance analysis, and navigation error budgets.
Develop and validate sensor models and measurement models (IMU, GNSS/GPS, star tracker, optical/relative navigation, radiometric).
Implement navigation algorithms in flight code (C++) and support SIL/HIL integration and test.
Run Monte Carlo analysis to characterize navigation performance under dispersed and off-nominal conditions.
Generate navigation verification data across Impulse's suite of missions.
Support navigation operations: real-time OD, console support, and anomaly response during critical mission phases.
Communicate navigation design needs, intent, performance, trades, and risk to the broader engineering team.

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science or related for science
5+ years of demonstrated experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, or estimation
Proficiency in Matlab and C++
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing Kalman filters for rocket or space applications

About the Company

Impulse Space

In-space propulsion and payload mobility

Impulse Space builds in-space mobility services and propulsion to move payloads after launch. Its products include Mira for precise maneuvering and rendezvous, Helios high-energy kick stage, Caravan rideshare to higher-energy orbits, and propulsion lines Saiph, Deneb, and Rigel. These tools act as in-space tugs and stages to push, dock, and deploy payloads in orbit. Led by SpaceX veteran Tom Mueller, Impulse Space uses flight-proven hardware and a growing network of facilities to make reaching higher-energy orbits faster and cheaper, expanding access for customers.

Company size: 501-1,000
Company stage: Series D
Total funding: $1.4B
Headquarters: Redondo Beach, CA
Founded: 2021

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