GNC Engineer, Orbit Determination/Stargaze

About the role

SpaceX is seeking skilled engineers to enhance the tracking and prediction of orbital objects, ensuring the safety of the Starlink constellation against potential collisions. In this position, you will design and manage systems that utilize optical and radar data to maintain an updated catalog of space objects, facilitating real-time decisions for collision avoidance.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop and optimize orbit determination tools and workflows that contribute to collision avoidance and overall space safety initiatives.
• Design and enhance algorithms for image processing to effectively identify objects and correlate observational data.
• Operate surveillance systems while collaborating with mission operations and collision avoidance teams during live missions.
• Improve prediction accuracy by refining algorithms related to orbit determination, image processing, and trajectory forecasting.
• Analyze and interpret data from various sources to support the ongoing enhancement of space object tracking methodologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of new systems and processes into existing workflows.
• Conduct simulations to validate the effectiveness of new algorithms and tools in real-world scenarios.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in space situational awareness and incorporate relevant findings into your work.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, computer science, or a related STEM discipline.
• Proven software development experience, particularly with programming languages such as Python or C++.
• Familiarity with the principles of orbital mechanics and their application in real-world scenarios.
• Ability to work independently and tackle complex challenges in a dynamic environment.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, particularly in data interpretation and algorithm development.
• Excellent communication skills to facilitate collaboration across various teams and departments.

Nice to have

• A graduate degree in aerospace engineering or a related field with a focus on orbit determination or space situational awareness.
• In-depth understanding of sequential estimation techniques, including Kalman filtering, residual editing, and filter tuning.
• Solid foundation in orbital modeling, including high-fidelity propagation, low-Earth orbit perturbations, and drag modeling.
• Experience with telescopes, sensors, astrometry, photometry, and image reduction techniques for optical data analysis.
• Background in processing and modeling measurements, including debiasing, sensor calibration, and radar observation handling.
• Knowledge of angles-only and initial orbit determination methodologies.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis methods such as chi-squared tests and data correlation techniques.
• Familiarity with conjunction data messages (CDMs) and two-line element (TLE) sets.
• Experience in deploying algorithms for operational space systems and familiarity with version control systems like Git.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in Python and C++ programming languages.
• Knowledge of Git for version control and collaborative development.
• Expertise in Kalman filtering and sequential estimation techniques.
• Experience with orbital propagation and perturbation modeling.
• Skilled in processing optical and radar measurements.
• Competence in image processing techniques for object detection and analysis.

Practical notes

• Salary for Level I positions ranges from $125,000 to $145,000 annually.
• Salary for Level II positions ranges from $145,000 to $175,000 annually.
• The final compensation package will be determined based on relevant skills, experience, and educational background.
• Employees may participate in equity programs through company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, in addition to potential bonuses and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance, a 401(k) plan, short and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and paid parental leave.
• Employees are entitled to three weeks of paid vacation, at least ten paid holidays each year, and sick leave in accordance with Washington State regulations.
• Company-provided shuttles operate Monday through Friday, connecting select locations in Seattle to the Redmond office.
• Due to ITAR regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or must be eligible to obtain the necessary authorization from the U.S. Department of State.