Job Information
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. GNC Engineer, Starlink Controls in Redmond, Washington
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. GNC ENGINEER, STARLINK CONTROLS At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to 4M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We've only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink's potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink's utility for communities and businesses around the globe. As an engineer on this team, you will bring a passion and expertise in areas like control theory, state estimation, orbital mechanics, spacecraft systems design, optimization, and software development to join the Starlink guidance, navigation, and control (GNC). Come help us write the autopilot algorithms for thousands of satellites (the world's largest constellation!) and more than one million user terminals, enabling access to high speed broadband internet in all corners of the world. RESPONSIBILITIES: Design, analysis, implementation of satellite attitude control and momentum management systems. Design, analysis, implementation of electromechanical control systems such as solar array actuators, antenna gimbals, and high bandwidth active optics. Hardware performance specification and sizing, support for hardware iteration and firmware bringup, design qualification, automated production screening, and performance monitoring in the fleet. Development and maintenance of high fidelity simulations using C++, python, matlab, integration of those simulations into collaborative analysis tools. Implementation, validation, unit testing, and deployment of production software (C++) pertinent to the systems described above. Provide engineering and data review support for hardware development, network level performance monitoring. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline. Software development experience in C++. Experience with design and analysis of closed loop control systems. PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline. Strong understanding of classical rigid body dynamics, orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development. Direct experience with spacecraft operations and flight software development, testing, and deployment. Demonstrated project or professional experience in closed loop state space and frequency domain controls analysis and design. Flexible body dynamics, coupled rigid body dynamics, finite element analysis, jitter rejection for sensitive line-of-sight pointing. Capable of identifying and solving complex problems with little to no supervision or direction. Passion for advancing the commercial space industry. Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere. Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay range: GNC Engineer/Level I: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year GNC Engineer/Level II: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00/per year Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education,