SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
COLLISION AVOIDANCE GNC ENGINEER
SpaceX is looking for an engineer with a strong background in spacecraft collision avoidance to join our specialist team within Starlink GNC.
SpaceX designs and operates the worlds largest constellation of satellites. To do so safely, we've designed and continue to improve our automated collision avoidance system to keep satellites informed of their surroundings, and give them flexibility to autonomously plan collision avoidance maneuvers if necessary.
Our mantra is, "algorithms, not operators"; your mission will be to continue advancing this system: further increasing its degree of safety, flexibility, and autonomy.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design and implementation of autonomous on-satellite collision avoidance algorithms using C++
- Design and implementation of ground services necessary to facilitate fully automated maneuver responsibility and maneuver scheduling decisions
- Running 3/6-DOF Monte Carlo analysis to characterize performance of new features
- Monitoring on-orbit system performance; troubleshooting if necessary
- Support of satellite operations on orbit; coordination with other spacecraft operators or 3rd party agencies
- Supporting day-of-launch activities; automating residual manual tasks
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or physics
- Software development experience in C++ and Python
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master's degree in engineering or physics
- 2+ years of experience in a space mission design role
- Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development
- Familiarity with orbit determination or state estimation more generally
- Familiarity with the physics of the orbital debris and micrometeorite environment
- Familiarity with numerical probability of collision methods such as Alfano, Foster, and Hall
- Familiarity with micrometeoroid and orbital debris analysis techniques for assessing on-orbit risk
- Practical experience flying spacecraft
- Capable of identifying and solving complex problems with little to no supervision or direction
- Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to travel.
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX 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.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.