About the role

Muon seeks an experienced Spacecraft ADCS Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate can go deep on design and evaluation but also has a “systems mindset” and will be a multiplier working in collaboration with other disciplines to arrive at an elegant, well-balanced design.

Being an early-stage startup with a small team, both breadth and depth are extremely important. We expect this person to be able to do detailed review and develop flight attitude determination and control algorithms, perform first principles “hand calcs” for rapid analytic results and quick checks, develop requirements flow-downs and appropriate margins, define flight limits, design and execute ADCS validation plans at both the system and component levels.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the ADCS design efforts for multiple complete spacecraft mission lifecycles
• Design a modular ADCS architecture that can be reused across a core multi-mission bus that is also adaptable to mission specific needs
• Define requirements for ADCS subsystems working beside other subsystem teammates
• Create pointing, agility, and positioning budgets to meet mission targeting, geolocation and stability requirements
• Size, assess, and select ADCS sensors and actuators, performing make-vs-buy trades as needed. Work with TPMs to guide procurement and internal development projects.
• Build and execute 6-DOF simulations to evaluate expected on-orbit performance
• Develop control algorithms, flight attitude and position determination algorithms, environmental models, and additionally, ground-processing algorithms that enable higher accuracy determination than available on-orbit
• Develop calibration approaches and associated ground support equipment
• Inform/implement ADCS components in Muon’s integrated systems modeling tools
• Design the ADCS verification and validation approach for the spacecraft and acceptance tests for components
• Drive hardware-in-the-loop testing for ADCS algorithm and hardware verification
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to validate hardware systems at both the unit level and spacecraft level

Qualifications

• M.S. or higher degree in an engineering field, preferably with exposure to spacecraft dynamics and orbital mechanics
• Knowledge of estimation and control theory
• Expertise in common numerical programming environments (Python - preferred, Matlab)
• 4+ years of experience working on ADCS design/simulation for spacecraft or aerospace systems (each higher-level degree can count for 2 years of experience)
• Extensive experience running dynamics simulations for spacecraft
• Experience designing and executing ADCS component or system-level tests
• Excellent communication, presentation, and coordination skills
• Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new opportunities each week

Nice-to-have Skills

• Software skills in C, C++
• Experience as a systems engineer for spacecraft
• Experience with spacecraft or related flight operations
• Familiarity with software engineering tools and processes (version control, code review)
• Working knowledge of propulsion and impacts to the ADCS system
• Hands-on experience building test setups

About Muon Space

Muon Space is working at the forefront of satellites, advanced sensors, business intelligence, and climate science to allow humanity to close the loop on climate change. From satellite missions to modeling to data analytics and actionable insights, we believe measuring, understanding and predicting Earth’s complex, coupled systems is both a great business opportunity and key to leaving future generations a livable, productive and healthy planet.

We are a geographically diverse company with teams in the San Francisco bay area, Los Angeles, and Boulder, Colorado. We seek great talent wherever it may be.

Equal Opportunity

At Muon, our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

At Muon Space salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, Muon Space provides equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, life insurance, and an employee development program. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays and unlimited sick time, along with paid parental leave to name a few of our benefits.

The salary range for this role is 95K-190K and will depend on a candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience as defined during the interview process.

ITAR/EAR Requirements:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S. protected person as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.