Staff Engineer

COMPANY DETAILS 

Space Machines Company (SMC) is a pioneering on-orbit servicing provider, offering "Roadside Assistance, In Space" for commercial and government customers. With a fleet of versatile Optimus Orbital Servicing Vehicles (OSVs), SMC delivers essential services such as on-orbit inspection, monitoring, refuelling, debris management, and satellite life extension. By focusing on space safety and sustainability, SMC is revolutionizing the way we maintain and support human presence in space. 

ROLE 

We are looking for a passionate, creative, and adaptable individual to join our team at SMC in the role of Staff Engineer – Guidance, Navigation, and Control. 

This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to design, plan and implement Rendezvous and Proximity Operation capable GNC systems and approach strategies in a fast-paced dynamic environment.  You will be joining a small collaborative team of specialists who will be individually responsible for their areas of expertise while also continuously and actively collaborating, cooperating and supporting their teammates in a cross-functional manner. 

We are looking for a senior engineer with a strong background in GNC/AOCS design, development and testing.  With the ability to leverage experience and first principles knowledge to work adaptively and dynamically in novel problem spaces.  Ability to balance open-mindedness and creative approaches with efficient pragmatism is paramount to the role. 

Your role, under the guidance of the Lead - GNC, is to:

• Analyse, Design, Implement and Validate GNC algorithms for on-orbit servicing spacecraft. 
• Contribute to the development of GNC Software and Simulation packages. 
• Contribute to the implementation, maintenance, and performance of robust GNC Software (SIL, PIL, HITL). 
• Develop test plans and procedures for GNC HW Validation and Calibration activities as well as oversee the correct execution of said plans & procedures. 
• Perform GNC Hardware trade studies and analysis. 
• Assist with GNC Hardware procurement.
• Collaborate with the GNC Lead to investigate and plan R&D into new methods & technologies that would contribute to the on orbit servicing capabilities of SMC. 
• Contribute to on orbit commissioning and validation activities. 

PROFILE 

The ideal candidate would have most of the following:

• A master's degree or higher in science/engineering with a focus on AOCS or related field. 
• 3+ years of experience in GNC/AOCS Engineering. 
• Experience simulating spacecraft systems in Matlab/Simulink. 
• Strong knowledge and experience of GNC algorithm design, modeling and testing. 
• Knowledge and experience with navigation filtering and estimation methods. (UKF, EKF, etc.) 
• Experience with MonteCarlo Simulations for GNC software validation.
• Experience with testing and validating GNC HW systems. 
• Experience with Calibrating GNC Systems to satisfy fine pointing/stability requirements. 
• Knowledge of RPO Relative Navigation Methods and Algorithms.
• Knowledge of RPO trajectories and approach methodologies. 
• Knowledge and experience with State Machine & FDIR design for highly autonomous systems.
• Detail orientated individual with good documentation skill and work tracking ability. 

You would be a total superstar if you also had:

• Experience with Git based version control 
• Knowledge and experience with vision based navigation/estimation. 
• Experience with CI/CD of Auto-code would be beneficial. 
• Knowledge of C/C++ would be beneficial. 

OFFER 

We are driving the future of new in-space services and sustainability, and offer a fast-paced, innovative, and agile environment where you can have a real impact on tomorrow. We offer the opportunity to be a part of the team who is shaping the future of what is possible in space.

If you're ready to embark on the most exciting and challenging journey of your career, and you're prepared to give everything you've got to help us achieve our vision, then we want you on our team. This is not a job for the timid or the complacent; this is an opportunity to be part of something truly extraordinary. Are you up for the challenge?