The team at Advanced Space is leading humanity back to the Moon and pioneering innovative solutions in the space industry. Based in Westminster, Colorado, this team is looking to add a highly motivated and passionate Senior Spacecraft Navigation Engineer to lead development efforts, support a technically diverse team, and conduct detailed analyses of navigation technology and software. Advanced Space is a rapidly growing, privately held business that operates with core values that reinforce: we are customer-obsessed and mission-focused; when we see it, we solve it; we are one team, motivated by our vision; and we bring technical excellence and inexhaustible curiosity. This role will be based in Westminster, Colorado and an ideal candidate for this role will love not just the responsibilities but will also have a passion for the exploration, development, and settlement of space. We invite you to join our dynamic team and contribute to the success of the team at Advanced Space. Job Purpose The ideal candidate will be an experienced professional who can lead development efforts, support a technically diverse team, and conduct detailed analyses. Responsibilities include leading the development of navigation technology and software; supporting software evaluation, refinement, and development efforts for flight and ground software for spacecraft navigation; and supporting or directing navigation analyses for single spacecraft and constellations in Earth orbit, transfers to lunar orbit and/or the surface, as well as deep space missions to Mars and elsewhere. This person should be prepared to support spaceflight operations, new technology conceptualization, business development efforts, and product and service proposals. Advantageous previous experience would include developing new estimation formulations, navigation leadership for spaceflight missions, and a demonstrated ability to improve on legacy approaches to spacecraft navigation. The ideal candidate for this role will have 5+ years of relevant experience and one or more advanced degrees. The candidate will be proficient in navigation and will have a deep understanding of Kalman filters and uncertainty models. The candidate will have the ability to identify where common assumptions break down in new navigation use cases; to architect new solutions based on high-level mission goals; and to provide mentorship to younger navigation engineers and work with leaders on strategy and schedule. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be a self-starter who seeks out issues rather than waiting for problems to arise. Responsibilities
- This position will lead and coordinate navigation functions of the company, which include:
- Performing navigation analyses for flight missions in development and proposed, which could encompass:
- Deep space missions to cislunar space, Venus, Mars, and elsewhere
- Earth orbit - constellations and others
- Lunar transfers (traditional and low energy) and landing
- Developing new navigation algorithms based on performance requirement goals and system architecture
- Developing navigation flight and ground software algorithms and architecture
- Supporting internal research and development (IRAD) and business development
- Interacting with government and commercial customers
- Supporting navigation operations
Required Skills and Experience
- MS/PhD with emphasis on Kalman filters and state estimation
- At least 7 years of experience
- Experience in actual mission implementation of flight and ground nav architectures
- Experience developing navigation algorithms or designing filters
- Experience with scientific computing and software development
- Experience with navigation tools, e.g., MONTE, FreeFlyer, ODTK
- Able to work independently and to define tasking based on top-level mission goals or requirements
- Presentation and writing skills
- Able to contribute to planning/schedule
Preferred Skills
- Experience with Python or C++
- Understanding of navigation considerations in 3-body orbit regimes or deep space
- Understanding of clock errors and how they contribute to navigation
- Understanding of radiometric navigation observables and relevant error sources
- Experience with orbit analysis tools, e.g., MONTE, GMAT, STK, FreeFlyer
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base Salary Range - $98,303 - $162.698 based on role, employee experience, and location
- Signing bonus
- Quarterly Performance bonuses
- Company provided health insurance and 401K plan upon eligibility
- Unlimited vacation time and extensive flexibility
- Relocation Assistance
- Pet insurance
Eligibility Requirements:
- Remote available, relocation to Westminster, CO area preferred (assistance provided).
- Applicants must be a US Person (citizen or Green Card Holder/permanent resident, or protected individual
- Ability to obtain US Security Clearance is desired
About the company: Advanced Space exists to enable the sustainable exploration, development, and settlement of space through software and services that leverage unique subject matter expertise. The company is actively supporting mission and cutting-edge capabilities spanning commercial, civil, and national security customers. Our core business is focused on three areas: (1) mission enabling services, (2) technology solutions and (3) mission solutions. Through its mission enabling services, Advanced Space provides mission and flight optimization, mission design, mission systems engineering. With its technology solutions Advanced Space provides its customers with trusted AI/ML/autonomy expertise, flight-demonstrated applications, and analysis at scale. Advanced Space offers Mission Solutions with unique turn-key missions, data and capabilities purchases and demonstrated cislunar and Martian success. Advanced Space is mission focused as the owner and operator of CAPSTONE™ for NASA and Prime contractor for Oracle for AFRL. These competencies are leveraged by a dynamic, flexible, and agile team with cross domain knowledge. We have a small but growing team that works collaboratively across projects. We provide flexibility, and an opportunity for passionate employees to contribute directly to meaningful projects. Trusted to take on the challenge, the team at Advanced Space is Delivering Innovation to Orbit™ to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Advanced Space, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Advanced Space, LLC recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.