Navigation Engineer (2-5 yrs)
Westminster, CA - USA
Job Summary
Advanced Space Full-time Hybrid
Were going to the Moon. Think youve got what it takes
About the Role
At Advanced Space were enabling humanitys return to the Moon and building the technologies that will take us to Mars and beyond. Were looking for a Navigation Engineer with 2-5 years of experience to help develop advanced spacecraft navigation solutions that support some of the most ambitious missions in the space industry.
In this role youll develop navigation algorithms perform orbit determination analyses and support mission-critical navigation systems across a variety of lunar and deep-space missions. Youll work alongside experienced engineers to improve estimation techniques develop navigation software and contribute to real spacecraft missionsincluding NASAs CAPSTONE mission AFRLs Oracle mission and next-generation commercial civil and national security programs.
Were looking for someone who enjoys solving challenging technical problems is eager to grow their expertise in spacecraft navigation and wants to make a direct impact on missions that are flyingnot just being imagined.
This position is open to U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents) only. Visa sponsorship is not available.
About Advanced Space
Advanced Space exists to enable the sustainable exploration development and settlement of space through innovative software mission services and technology solutions. As the owner and operator of NASAs CAPSTONE mission and the Prime Contractor for AFRLs Oracle mission were helping shape the future of cislunar exploration while supporting commercial civil and national security customers.
Our team combines deep technical expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset. We move quickly collaborate across disciplines and empower every engineer to make meaningful contributions. If youre passionate about solving challenging problems and seeing your work fly in space youll fit right in.
What Youll Actually Do
Develop spacecraft navigation solutions.
Design implement and improve spacecraft navigation algorithms that support mission planning flight operations and technology development. Help advance estimation techniques for challenging mission environments while contributing to navigation software used on real missions.
Perform orbit determination and navigation analyses.
Configure force models measurement models and estimation setups to evaluate mission performance. Process tracking data perform residual analysis assess filter performance and interpret navigation uncertainties to ensure accurate spacecraft state estimation.
Support mission software development.
Develop scripts and software that improve navigation analysis workflows and contribute to ground and flight software used for spacecraft navigation. Evaluate legacy approaches while helping implement more capable estimation solutions.
Collaborate across engineering teams.
Work closely with mission design flight dynamics software and systems engineering teams to integrate navigation solutions into larger mission architectures. Contribute to technical discussions and support design reviews throughout the mission lifecycle.
Grow your technical expertise.
Learn from experienced navigation engineers while contributing to cutting-edge lunar and deep-space missions. Help improve internal tools participate in research and development efforts and support proposals for future exploration missions.
Who Thrives Here
- You have 25 years of experience in spacecraft navigation orbit determination astrodynamics or a closely related field.
- You have a strong understanding of state estimation and Kalman filter fundamentals.
- Youre familiar with common spacecraft navigation filter architectures.
- You have experience performing orbit determination analyses and configuring force models measurement models and estimation setups.
- Youre comfortable processing radiometric optical GPS or similar spacecraft tracking data.
- You understand covariance analysis navigation uncertainty and filter diagnostics.
- You have experience using industry-standard astrodynamics or navigation tools such as MONTE GMAT STK ODTK or similar.
- You have scripting or software development experience that supports navigation analysis or spacecraft software development.
- You enjoy collaborating across engineering disciplines and solving technically challenging problems.
- You take ownership. When you see a challenge you work with the team to solve it.
Bonus Points if You Have Experience With
- MONTE astrodynamics toolkit
- Navigation flight operations
- Mission design or maneuver planning
- Systems integration interface control documents (ICDs) or verification activities
- Engineering processes and configuration management
- Proposal support or IRAD development
- Cislunar or deep-space missions
- A Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering Astrodynamics or a related discipline
Success is Measured By
- Delivering accurate reliable navigation analyses that support mission success.
- Developing robust navigation algorithms and estimation solutions.
- Producing high-quality orbit determination analyses and technical recommendations.
- Improving navigation tools software and engineering workflows.
- Collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Contributing to successful mission execution technology development and future mission proposals.
Why Join Advanced Space
- Work on real missions that are shaping the future of lunar and deep-space exploration.
- Help develop navigation solutions for cutting-edge spacecraft and mission concepts.
- Collaborate with some of the industrys top experts in astrodynamics autonomy and mission design.
- Be part of a growing company where your technical contributions have a direct impact on mission success.
- Join a team thats passionate about delivering innovation to orbitand beyond.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $92000$121000 (based on experience qualifications and location)
- Signing bonus
- Quarterly performance bonuses
- Company-sponsored medical benefits and 401(k)
- Flexible time off
- Relocation assistance
Advanced Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability veteran status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
The team at Advanced Space supports innovative spaceflight missions and the utilization of cutting edge hardware and software improvements to enable entirely new spaceflight capabilities.