GNC Engineer, Starlink Controls (Starlink)

About the role

At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to 10M+ users worldwide.

We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We've only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink's potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink's utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a control systems engineer on the Starlink Guidance, Navigation, and Control team (GNC), you will apply a strong expertise in dynamics and closed loop controls to achieve robust and precise pointing on satellites, payloads, propulsion systems, and mechanisms. This is not just an analysis role - you will be responsible for vehicle design trades, simulation, flight code implementation, and ultimately deploying and operating your features in space.

Come help us fly the world's largest constellation and make high speed internet available everywhere, all the time.

Responsibilities

• Design, analysis, implementation of electromechanical control systems such as solar array actuators, antenna gimbals, and high bandwidth active optics.
• Design, analysis, implementation of satellite attitude control and momentum management systems.
• Design, analysis, implementation of fluid and power system controls for the Starlink hall thrusters.
• Optimal state estimation as applied to mechanical alignment and attitude determination.
• Hardware performance specification and sizing, support for hardware iteration and firmware bringup, design qualification, automated production screening, and performance monitoring in the fleet.
• Development and maintenance of high fidelity simulations using C++, python, matlab, integration of those simulations into collaborative analysis tools.
• Implementation, validation, unit testing, and deployment of production software (C++) pertinent to the systems described above.
• Provide engineering and data review support for hardware development, network level performance monitoring.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline.
• Software development experience in C++.
• Experience with design and analysis of closed loop control systems.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline.
• Very strong expertise and demonstrated project or professional experience in linear closed loop controls analysis and design, including state space and frequency domain methods.
• Experience with flexible body dynamics and reduced finite element models thereof in the context of closed loop control systems analysis.
• Expertise in state estimation, kalman filters, information filters, etc.
• Strong expertise in embedded C++, ideally in the context of electromechanical control systems firmware.
• Strong understanding of classical rigid body dynamics, orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation thereof.
• Direct experience with spacecraft operations and flight software development, testing, and deployment.
• Capable of identifying and solving complex problems in a self-directed manner.
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Pay Range

Level 1: $125,000.00 - $165,000.00

Level 2: $145,000.00 - $200,000.00

Your actual level and 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.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

Itar Requirements

• 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.