Senior ADCS Engineer

Job Summary:

As an ADCS Engineer at Lynk, you will wear many hats in the world of electronics, hardware, and software. You will be responsible for the analysis, design, implementation, optimization and enhancement of spacecraft attitude determination and control systems for the satellites in our constellation. Some work products will include spacecraft ADCS level design, flight code and algorithm design, ADC component evaluations (e.g., sensors, actuators), ADC component design, full hardware-in-the-loop simulation of spacecraft dynamics on in lab flatsats, design of in lab test environments and set ups to support ADCS development and testing, etc. Candidates with guidance navigation and control (GNC) experience are considered a huge plus and would also be involved in GNC system design, analysis, software development, and testing. While developing lots of software and simulation capabilities, you’ll be working with hardware on the bench, and probably need to pick up a soldering gun, use an oscilloscope, and/or configure a 6-DOF simulator.

If you enjoy the challenge of wearing many hats and have a track record of creative thinking to solve unconventional problems, then we look forward to meeting you!

Core Responsibilities:

Because Lynk is a small company, an ADCS Engineer will straddle engineering work in the domains of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering.

• Continue to evolve Lynk’s spacecraft ADCS architecture including components and systems that provide both relative and absolute attitude measurements.
• Define Concept of Operations for the spacecraft attitude determination and control system and related ground systems.
• Interface with Systems Engineering team to inform constellation/network architecture and design based on spacecraft attitude determination and control system performance.
• Support development of the 6 DOF simulation used to support attitude determination and control system evaluation.
• Perform analyses to determine spacecraft ADCS component performance requirements including performance characteristics (e.g. sizing, accuracy, sensor noise, reliability, etc.), redundancy, and fault management options.
• Specify, evaluate, and select spacecraft attitude determination sensors which may include rate sensors, magnetometers, sun sensors, horizon sensors, thermal sensors, and star trackers.
• Specify, evaluate, and select spacecraft attitude determination actuators which may include magnetorquers, reaction wheels, gravity gradient booms, and even propulsive components.
• Determine attitude determination sensor and actuator types, number, and placement required on spacecraft.
• Design and implement algorithms and software to support various pointing modes and attitude control scenarios.
• Develop Concept of Operations for both ground and space system operations needed to support spacecraft attitude determination and control.
• Perform integration and test of spacecraft ADCS components and software for the spacecraft and in the lab.
• Design and plan payload testing configurations on the ground when testing spacecraft attitude determination and control system performance both in-lab and in-orbit.
• Support spacecraft integration, testing, and delivery to launch/spacecraft bus partners/vendors.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for spacecraft ADCS architecture definition, design, and development.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree (or better) in physics, engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience with spacecraft attitude determination and/or control systems.
• Recent participation in projects developing space hardware and software (preferably spacecraft attitude determination and/or control).
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control system components such as IMUs, magnetometers, star trackers, reaction wheels, and magnetorquers.
• In-depth knowledge of flight guidance navigation and control systems and software is a huge plus.
• In-depth knowledge of spacecraft propulsion systems, propulsion system CONOPS, and trajectory planning is a huge plus.
• Programming proficiency in one or more programming languages is required (e.g., C++, C, Python, MATLAB, etc.)
• Proficient in working with Linux based systems.
• Hands-on experience with programming microcontrollers is desired.
• Must be good with computers. Fluent in Linux, Windows, and Mac OSX; Very capable with Microsoft Office (Excel, Project, PowerPoint, Word).
• Must be able to work independently and in a team environment.