GNC Engineer, Collision Avoidance (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

About The Position

SpaceX is seeking an engineer with a background in both guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) and software development to join the Starlink Collision Avoidance team. Starlink operates a large satellite constellation designed for autonomous operation. Its satellites use algorithms to monitor their surroundings and autonomously plan and execute collision-avoidance maneuvers when a close approach is predicted to pose a high risk. The team owns the automated collision-avoidance pipeline, including satellite-side algorithms, supporting ground services, and infrastructure for monitoring on-orbit system performance. The team also develops algorithms for accurate future-state predictions of Starlink satellites to inform collision-avoidance decisions. Engineers analyze production data and simulations to validate features and guide further development. The role includes monitoring system performance, troubleshooting, coordinating with external data providers and constellation operators, and participating in an on-call rotation that may involve manually commanding satellites.

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 U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in software, engineering, physics, or a related field.
Two or more 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 from 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 new-feature performance.
Analyze telemetry data 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 eligibility for long-term incentives, including 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 three weeks of accrued paid vacation.
Ten or more paid holidays per year.
Washington State employees accrue 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 through Friday.