Design, implement, and verify GNC algorithms and software for spacecraft (LEO/GEO, upper stages, landers). Develop flight and simulation code, generate verification data, create reusable tools, resolve technical issues, and communicate designs. Mentor others and define GNC best practices for senior roles.
As a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer at Impulse Space, you will own all aspects of and provide outstanding technical contribution to vehicle GNC in all phases of development and operation while working closely with a fast paced, agile team.
Responsibilities
- Implement GNC flight, test, and analysis systems for high-performance space vehicles produced at scale
- Develop robust algorithms for spacecraft: satellites in LEO and GEO, large upper stages, and landers
- Generate GNC verification data for Impulse’s suite of missions
- Participate in GNC software development, both flight code and simulation
- For Senior and higher, mentor other engineers and define the best practices for vehicle GNC
- Create tools to be used for all flight vehicle GNC systems, enabling missions to be realized quickly
- Resolve technical issues with innovative, resourceful solutions
- Communicate design needs, intent, and capability to the broader engineering team
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline
- 5+ years of experience in spacecraft GNC design and analysis
- Proficiency in Matlab and C++
- Experience with performing control analysis in time and frequency domains, estimation theory, or astrodynamics
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Demonstrated experience in upper stage or lander control
- Demonstrated experience with rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) or formation flying
- Experience in a startup or agile development environment
- 5+ years of demonstrated experience in spacecraft operations
- 5+ years of demonstrated experience with vehicle-GNC design processes, from concept, through design reviews and implementation
Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
About
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
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