GNC Engineer - Navigation Sensors and Algorithms

The role

You will own the navigation and sensing chain for K2 spacecraft, from physical sensor hardware to estimation algorithms and flight software. This role involves designing software drivers for GNSS receivers, developing testing for GNSS performance, and supporting multiple K2 launches.

What you will do

• Design, implement, and verify onboard estimation algorithms for orbit and attitude determination
• Develop high-altitude GNSS navigation capability for MEO and GEO
• Improve measurement and system timing accuracy from sensor output to GNC ingestion
• Develop and run GNC sensor calibration on the ground and on orbit
• Select, specify, and integrate navigation sensors in fault tolerant architectures
• Build sensor models and estimation components in the simulation framework
• Support on-orbit commissioning and navigation performance analysis during mission operations
• Define pass/fail performance criteria for GNC hardware during acceptance testing
• Recruit, interview, and mentor engineers

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field
• 2+ years of experience in navigation, estimation, or sensor engineering for spacecraft
• Strong grasp of estimation theory, with hands-on experience implementing filters for real time systems
• Hands-on experience with navigation hardware in the lab
• Experience with Python, Julia, C/C++, or Rust for algorithm development, implementation, hardware test, and simulation

Nice to have

• Experience with early-stage spacecraft conceptual design
• Previous experience with high altitude/cis-lunar GNSS architectures
• Knowledge of GNSS link budgets and antenna pattern modeling
• Experience with optics, such as star trackers, cameras, and optical navigation
• Ability to characterize inertial sensors through Allan variance and PSD analysis
• Experience with magnetometer calibration and bias compensation
• Hands-on experience with GNSS simulators, attenuators, LNAs, and Spectrum Analyzer
• Experience with vehicle level polarity and run-for-record testing
• Basic power electronics and serial protocol + ethernet knowledge
• Avionics radiation basics and FDIR strategies

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Medical/dental/vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Many other perks

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license

About the company

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown for missions from LEO to deep space. The company is mass-producing high-power satellite platforms and is a high-growth Series D-funded company.