Senior Guidance, Navigation & Estimation Engineer
Astranis
As a team, we’ve launched five satellites into orbit, signed ten commercial deals worth over $1 billion in revenue, raised over $750 million from top global investors, and recruited a team of over 400 world-class engineers. We all work out of our (legendary) San Francisco office, which was once used to build ships during the World Wars.
Our satellites, which operate from geostationary orbit (GEO), weigh only 400 kg and utilize a proprietary software-defined radio payload. Each satellite can connect over two million people, and we’re very excited for the impact we’ll soon have in the Philippines, Mexico, and more!
Backed by substantial funding and a passionate, collaborative team, we offer a rewarding work environment where you'll learn and make a significant impact, no matter where you are in your career.
Senior Guidance, Navigation & Estimation Engineer
As a Senior Guidance, Navigation & Estimation Engineer at Astranis, you will develop, implement, and test algorithms that enable precise orbit and attitude knowledge as well as accurate maneuver execution for our satellites. Your work will emphasize state estimation, orbit determination, and guidance algorithm development, while ensuring robust performance across both commercial and U.S. Government programs. You will contribute to algorithm design, high-fidelity simulation, and flight software implementation while collaborating across hardware and software domains to validate and verify system performance.
Role
- 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
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
Bonus
- Experience with advanced orbit determination techniques (e.g., sequential processing, covariance realism)
- Familiarity with trajectory design and optimization methods
- Experience with spacecraft propulsion and maneuver planning
- Experience with geostationary spacecraft operations
- Background in hardware-in-the-loop simulations
- Experience implementing estimation and guidance algorithms on embedded systems