GNC Engineer (All Levels)

Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

As a GNC engineer at Astrolab, you will be responsible for designing, analyzing, and testing Guidance, Navigation, and Control algorithms for our lunar rover fleet. You will support development and maturation of GNC for crewed, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous rover operations. GNC engineers own hardware selection and characterization, algorithm development and tuning, algorithm and integrated performance analysis, and verification and validation for the GNC subsystem. You will work with simulated environment as well as test vehicles to design, mature, and prove GNC functionality and performance.

Note: Some travel may be required for this position
What you'll do:

Define GNC subsystem and algorithm requirements

Design, analyze, develop, tune, verify, and validate rover GNC algorithms and support conversion of algorithm prototypes into FSW

Contribute to the development of the GNC simulation

Work with avionics and other engineering teams to select GNC sensors such as IMUs, star trackers, cameras, LiDARs, etc.

Support GNC sensor characterization, calibration, and testing

Support development of integrated hardware/software GNC subsystem testbeds

Develop GNC algorithm documentation and work with vehicle software team to convert prototypes into flight code, including supporting unit and integrated testing of flight implementations

Work with vehicle software team, avionics team, mobility team, and integration and test team to verify GNC subsystem implementation and performance

Support field testing of GNC software using test vehicles in a variety of lighting and terrain conditions

Develop GNC analysis and test plans and perform GNC analysis and testing on hardware in the loop testbeds

Support vehicle integration and testing of GNC functions

Develop vehicle level calibration plans and support vehicle level calibrations

What you'll bring:

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

3+ years of professional experience developing Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems

Experience with Python and familiarity with C++

Preferred Qualifications

Experience developing path planning, obstacle avoidance, or similar algorithms

Experience designing, tuning, and testing Extended Kalman Filters for vehicle state estimation.

Experience designing, tuning, and testing vehicle control algorithms (e.g., high-gain antenna pointing)

Experience building, testing, and validating GNC simulation tools

Experience performing GNC performance analysis, including Monte Carlo analysis

Experience supporting GNC development from initial concept through flight operations

Experience collaborating across multidisciplinary engineering teams to mature GNC designs into flight software

Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills

Benefits and Perks

Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration

Equity ownership in the company

Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support

401(k) plan with company match

Flexible PTO and parental leave

Home office set up reimbursement

Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site

Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks

Originally posted on Himalayas