Recent Graduate Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer

Katalyst Description:

Katalyst is an American technology companyfocused on dynamic space operations.We are building a fleet ofdual-use multipurposerobotic space vehiclestocreate thefuture where maneuvering upgrading refuelingresupplyand exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained responsive operations possible we enable a new era of spaceexplorationthat strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Katalyst Culture:

Working at Katalyst is intense hands-on and deeply rewarding. Youll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real. We value humility craftsmanship and doing things the right way even when its harder. Youll work closely with thoughtful driven teammates who push each other to do their best.

WhatYoullDo

• Contribute directly to the design development analysis integration test and operation of spacecraft Guidance Navigation & Control systems.

• Own well-scoped GNC problems from definition through modeling algorithm development simulation test documentation and closure with support from senior engineers.

• Work hands-on with simulation environments flight and test data hardware-in-the-loop or software-in-the-loop tools sensor and actuator interfaces and mission-analysis outputs.

• Participate in design reviews test campaigns anomaly investigations and mission-readiness activities; communicate GNC performance risks assumptions and decisions clearly.

• Collaborate across software avionics mechanical propulsion systems and mission operations to understand interfaces and system-level impacts on GNC performance.

• Build engineering judgment by comparing analytical models and simulations against test or operational dataidentifyingdiscrepancies and iterating toward reliable flight performance.

• Document models algorithms assumptions requirements interfaces Monte Carlo results test results procedures and technical decisions so others can review and reproduce the work.

• Take increasing ownership as technical capability grows progressing from supervised analysis and implementation tasks toward independent feature- algorithm- or subsystem-level responsibility.

• Support spacecraft mission execution by helping translate missionobjectivesand constraints into credible GNC analyses algorithms test plans and operational recommendations.

WhatWereLooking For

• Bachelors degree completed or expected before start date in Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Applied Math Physics Robotics or a closely related technical field.

• Strong academic or project-based grounding in rigid-body dynamics controls estimation navigation orbital mechanics numerical methods or related GNC fundamentals with the ability to explain technical reasoning from first principles.

• Demonstrated hands-on GNC experience through internships research student spacecraft or robotics teams capstone projects personal projects laboratories or prior employment.

• Ability to break down ambiguous GNC problemsidentifyassumptions buildappropriate models make reasonable tradeoffs andvalidatework through simulation test or data.

• Clear written and verbal technical communication including the ability to explain what was personally modeled coded analyzed tuned tested or debugged versus what was completed by a team.

• Comfort learning new spacecraft dynamics sensors actuators software tools and mission concepts quickly in an environment where responsibilities may evolve with program needs.

• Ability to collaborate closely with software avionics propulsion mechanical systems and mission-operations engineers and accept direct technical feedback without losing ownership of the problem.

• Ability tocomply withapplicable export-control requirements and customer-access restrictions.

Your Ideal Background

Preferred

• Internship research co-op or project experience in spacecraft GNC flight dynamics robotics autonomous systems aerospace defense technology or another controls- or estimation-intensive environment.

• Experience taking a GNC model algorithm or controller from analysis into simulation or test and using the results to drive changes.

• Exposure to dynamics feedback control state estimation navigation orbital mechanics trajectory analysis simulation Monte Carlo analysis MATLAB/Simulink Python or C/C.

• Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work hands-on in the office lab integration or test environment as required and to support occasional extended hours during critical test or mission activities.

Compensation and Benefits: Your 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 and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $80000 - $105000 annually.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical vision and dental coverage and unlimited Paid Time Off.

At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130 which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently our available roles necessitate access to ITAR-controlled information and as a result Katalyst would have to ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or national origin.