Senior Guidance, Navigation & Estimation Engineer at Astranis

San Francisco, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, SpaceIndustries

Requirements

BS or MS degree in aerospace engineering, physics, computer science, or a related technical field with emphasis on orbital mechanics, estimation, or guidance
5+ years of experience working on spacecraft navigation, guidance, or related GNC subsystems
Demonstrated expertise with estimation techniques (e.g., extended/unscented Kalman filters, sensor fusion, batch least-squares)
Experience developing and testing guidance algorithms for orbital or attitude maneuvers
Experience developing and testing orbit determination and state estimation algorithms in both simulation and hardware-in-the-loop environments
Proficiency with Python, C++, and Git
Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and validate flight or ground software from scratch
Hands-on experience working with spaceborne or aerospace sensors and actuators (e.g., star trackers, IMUs, GNSS, reaction wheels, thrusters)
Strong analytical skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and testing of navigation and estimation algorithms, including real-time filters (e.g., extended/unscented Kalman filters) and offline batch estimation methods
Develop orbit determination pipelines, sensor fusion approaches, and navigation software for on-board and ground-based systems
Design and test guidance algorithms for orbit transfers, stationkeeping, and attitude pointing maneuvers
Build, validate, and maintain high-fidelity 6-DOF simulations and physics models to support guidance and estimation algorithm design and verification
Perform performance analysis through Monte Carlo campaigns, covariance analysis, and hardware-in-the-loop testing
Define system requirements and conduct make/buy trades for sensors, actuators, and navigation subsystems, including accuracy, robustness, and fault tolerance considerations
Contribute to concept of operations development, mission planning, and flight operations with a focus on navigation accuracy and maneuver execution
Collaborate closely with hardware teams to integrate sensors and actuators, manage vendor deliverables, and support bring-up/testing of guidance and navigation hardware
Support team growth by assisting in recruiting, interviewing, and mentoring new engineers

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Extended Kalman FilterUnscented Kalman FilterOrbit DeterminationSensor FusionGuidance AlgorithmsState Estimation6-DOF SimulationPhysics ModelingFlight SoftwareNavigation Software

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this a remote position or does it require working in the office?

The role requires working out of the San Francisco office.

What education and experience are required for this role?

A BS or MS degree in aerospace engineering, physics, computer science, or a related field with emphasis on orbital mechanics, estimation, or guidance is required, along with 5+ years of experience working on spacecraft navigation, guidance.

What is the salary range for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the company culture like at Astranis?

Astranis offers a rewarding work environment with a passionate, collaborative team backed by substantial funding, where employees learn and make a significant impact.

What makes a strong candidate for this Senior Guidance, Navigation & Estimation Engineer role?

Strong candidates will have a BS or MS in a relevant field with emphasis on orbital mechanics, estimation, or guidance, plus 5+ years of spacecraft navigation and guidance experience, and the ability to lead algorithm design, simulations, and cross-team collaboration.

Astranis

Develops low-cost telecommunications satellites

About Astranis

Astranis develops and deploys spacecraft for Geostationary Orbit, focusing on providing internet connectivity to the 4 billion people worldwide without access. The company designs, manufactures, and operates low-cost telecommunications satellites, offering bandwidth-as-a-service to commercial and government customers. This approach allows Astranis to deliver services at a lower cost than traditional providers, making it appealing for reaching new markets. With over $1 billion in satellite services sold in the past two years and plans for additional satellite launches, Astranis is positioned for growth. The company's goal is to bridge the digital divide and connect underserved populations globally.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2015Year Founded

$587.2MTotal Funding

SERIES_DCompany Stage

Aerospace, DefenseIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

An equity stake in the company.

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Unlimited vacation days.

Healthy, delicious, free lunch catered in every day.

Complementary OneMedical membership.

Great office chairs, stand-up desks, and a machine shop.

Reimbursement to spend on commuting from outside SF

Generous, fully-paid parental leave.

Risks

Competition from SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper may impact market share.

Continuous R&D investment needed due to rapid technological advancements in satellite tech.

Regulatory challenges in obtaining spectrum licenses could delay satellite deployments.

Differentiation

Astranis offers low-cost satellite solutions for underserved regions, expanding internet access.

The company provides bandwidth-as-a-service, reducing costs for commercial and government clients.

Astranis designs, manufactures, and operates its own satellites, ensuring end-to-end service control.

Upsides

Astranis plans to launch 100 MicroGEO satellites by 2030, increasing market share.

Partnership with Xona Space Systems enhances reputation in the defense sector.

$50 million investment from NTT Docomo Ventures indicates strong investor confidence.

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