Graduate Engineer - Guidance, Navigation, and Control / Formation Flight
Array Labs
Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posted on Jan 24, 2025
Array Labs is building a distributed radar imaging constellation to power the first accurate, real-time 3D model of the world. Our formation-flying radar satellites offer a revolutionary new approach to Earth observation, delivering unique and unparalleled insights of our ever-changing planet.
As a GN&C Engineer focused on formation flight, you’ll keep our spacecraft in position, collecting data. You will leverage knowledge of areas like control theory, state estimation, orbit determination, space systems design, optimization, and software development to bring systems from concept to production. Together we will produce the most dense distributed sensing space system that has ever left the drawing board.
Responsibilities
- Generate algorithms, techniques, and methods to coordinate LEO spacecraft trajectories
- Develop and deploy models and simulation environments to analyze performance at the spacecraft, formation, and fleet level
- Design and implement test plans for algorithm verification and validation
- Investigate unique methods for satellite state estimation and control
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field and pursuing graduate degree
- 12+ months of experience in GN&C outside the classroom (internships or lab work)
- Excellent teamwork and communication skills
- Learn new concepts rapidly, completely, and in a self-directed manner
- High level of self-motivation and personal accountability
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under significant time constraints
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Spring 2026 graduation date
- Experience in system-level GNC modeling
- Experience in working on hands-on hardware design and implementation
- Proficient in MATLAB, Simulink, C/C++, and/or Python
- Experience with STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or other astrodynamics software
- Experience developing and deploying control systems for real world applications
- Experience with classical, modern, and optimal control theory
- Experience designing and implementing GNC algorithms
- Experience performing orbital modeling, prediction, and optimization
- Knowledge of spacecraft ADCS sensors, actuators and control methods
- Knowledge of orbital mechanics, including rendezvous and formation flight algorithms
- Experience working in a lab and using laboratory test equipment
ITAR Requirements
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Equal Opportunity Employer
- Array Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of merit, competence, and job qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by gender, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Why you should join Array Labs
Array Labs is launching a constellation of satellites to create the first high-resolution, real-time, three-dimensional model of Earth. Our next-generation satellite technology will offer image quality 60x greater than traditional techniques, profoundly expanding humanity’s ability to understand and respond to events on a global scale.
In forging an affordable, accessible, accurate representation of Earth, our work has the potential to transform the face of dozens of fields, including autonomy, telecommunications, disaster relief, gaming, climate science, defense and construction.