SpaceX
GNC Engineer, Orbit Determination/Stargaze (Starlink)
About this role
SpaceX seeks a GNC Engineer specializing in orbit determination and space surveillance to enhance collision avoidance and space safety operations for the Starlink constellation. You'll develop and maintain orbit determination pipelines, refine image processing algorithms, and operate surveillance systems to track space objects using optical and radar observations.
What you'll do
- Maintain and operate orbit determination tools and pipelines for collision avoidance and space safety
- Develop image processing algorithms for object detection and data association
- Operate surveillance systems and collaborate with collision avoidance and mission operations teams
- Improve orbit determination, image processing, and prediction algorithms for accuracy
- Process optical and radar observations to maintain space object catalog
- Support real-time decision-making for space traffic management
What they're looking for
- Python or C++ software development
- Kalman filtering and sequential estimation techniques
- Orbital mechanics and propagation modeling
- Image processing and astrometry
- Orbit determination methods (angles-only, initial orbit determination)
- Sensor calibration and measurement processing
- Statistical analysis and data correlation
- Git version control and algorithm deployment
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- 3 weeks paid vacation and 10+ paid holidays annually
- Stock options and employee stock purchase plan discounts
- Short and long-term disability and life insurance
- Company shuttles from select Seattle locations to Redmond office
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SpaceX
SpaceX develops advanced spacecraft and satellite systems, including the Starshield government satellite constellation and Starfall re-entry cargo capsule for global delivery. The company is hiring engineers in avionics integration, software test automation, mechanical design, and hardware reliability to validate flight-critical systems and ensure mission success.
- Website
- spacex.com
Likely interview questions
- Walk us through your experience with Kalman filtering and sequential estimation—what real-world problems have you solved with these techniques?
- Describe a time you developed and deployed an algorithm for a space or aerospace application. What were the key challenges?