GNC Engineer, Beam Planning

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

As a GNC engineer on this team, you will bring a passion and expertise in areas like state estimation, spacecraft systems design, optimization, and software development to join the Starshield GNC team. Engineers on this team support various payloads through initial conception to on-orbit operation, with a focus on beam planning and algorithm development. You will be driving future hardware design and optimizing current payload performance through modeling and simulation. We are looking for engineers who enjoy solving complex problems, can work effectively in a fast-paced environment, and are passionate about advancing the space industry.

• →Develop highly reliable and performant GNC algorithms, flight software, simulations, tools, and services using C++ or Python
• →Conduct analyses, recommend designs, and write GNC software that balances competing requirements
• →Build software tools and construct scenarios to analyze system performance
• →Write high-quality technical documentation of programs, algorithms, or analysis
• →Develop software models of the operation and performance of various payloads
• →Support your relevant on-call operations rotation, keep ground and vehicle software continuously operating at peak performance

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science/software engineering, or an engineering discipline
• Software development experience in C++ or Python

• Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
• Experience in verifying GNC algorithm performance via simulation and validation of the simulation's models
• Experience simulating satellite payload performance
• Demonstrated experience in developing state estimation algorithms or optimization
• Experience with RF
• Linux development experience
• Capable of identifying and solving complex problems with little to no supervision or direction
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Active TS/SCI clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one

• Able to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical path development and/or critical on-orbit operations
• An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol test

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.