GNC Engineer, Collision Avoidance (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

9d•$125,000 - $200,000

About The Position

SpaceX is seeking an engineer with a hybrid background in guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) and software development to join the Starlink Collision Avoidance team. Starlink is designed for autonomous satellite operations, using onboard algorithms to monitor surroundings and plan and execute collision-avoidance maneuvers when a high-risk close approach is predicted. The team owns the full automated collision-avoidance pipeline, including satellite-side algorithms, supporting ground services, and infrastructure for monitoring on-orbit performance. It also develops algorithms to produce accurate future-state predictions of Starlink satellites. The role requires analyzing production data and simulations to validate features and guide future development. Team members participate in an on-call rotation and may command satellites when manual intervention is needed. SpaceX notes that motivation and ability to learn quickly are important, and that less experienced hires may be paired with a mentor.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in software, engineering, physics, or a related field.
Software development experience in C++ or Python.
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Must meet SpaceX's stated U.S. export-control requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in software, engineering, physics, or a related field.
At least 2 years of experience in space mission design or a related role.
Strong understanding of some or all of orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, software development, statistics, and systems engineering.
Familiarity with state estimation and Kalman filtering, ideally including orbit-determination applications.
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.
Ability to identify and solve complex problems with little to no supervision or direction.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere.
Examples of high-quality writing or software documentation on past projects.

Responsibilities

Design and implement autonomous on-satellite collision-avoidance algorithms using C++.
Design and implement ground services for fully automated maneuver-scheduling decisions using C++ and Python.
Design and implement tools and dashboards to monitor autonomous collision-avoidance system performance.
Design and implement orbit-determination systems, including state and uncertainty propagation for accurate orbit prediction.
Run Monte Carlo analyses to characterize the performance of new features.
Analyze large volumes of telemetry from satellites and ground services to characterize system performance and identify improvements.
Write integrated test cases for satellite and ground software.
Write documentation for implemented software and tooling.
Monitor on-orbit system performance and troubleshoot when necessary.
Coordinate with third-party data providers and constellation operators.
Participate in the on-call rotation and command satellites when manual intervention is necessary.

Benefits

Potential long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision coverage.
Dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
Up to 3 weeks of accrued paid vacation.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Washington State paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office, Monday to Friday.