Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Team Lead

With the establishment of our new team in France, we're looking for a GNC Team Leader to support our growing new Toulouse office and project load.

In this role you will take responsibility for the leadership and management responsibilities of the team, the successful candidate will join an experienced and competent group of like-minded people who make up the global GNC team and bring an optimal mix of GNC experience from both the commercial and academic worlds.

 

GNC subsystems for Astroscale missions require both standard and bespoke GNC algorithms and hardware, which need to be integrated together and with the wider satellite bus. This is often cutting edge, very complex, innovative and forms some of Astroscale’s most important intellectual property. This role will allow the right candidate to shape solutions for our missions. Whilst the candidate will primarily work in France, they will interact with a larger team in Astroscale’s other offices and may be required to travel to these, particularly Tokyo, as needed in support of Astroscale projects and operations.

 

We are a fast-growing company where you can expand on your experience and develop your skills further to enable your team to deliver amazing results. Your role will help us make a difference every day by ensuring the GNC team is well placed to drive forward our missions and help to make space safer and more sustainable for future generations.

Responsibilities 

 

Hardware and Integration 

• Lead GNC hardware specification, integration and test. Integration includes mechanical, electrical and software integration to the rest of the satellite bus.  
• Support procurement activities for GNC hardware.  
• Lead development of GNC hardware architecture, trade-off analysis of hardware towards overall GNC hardware solutions which meet Astroscale’s project requirements (inc. technical and programmatic).  
• Conducting and planning state-of-the-art research of technologies/sensors relevant to RPO (Rendezvous and Proximity Operations). This is includes any relevant COTS equipment not designed for space use which could be developed for Astroscale missions.  
• Perform GNC hardware trade-offs.  

• Plan and execute GNC subsystem verification and test activities including hardware-in-the-loop.  
• Support the testing of embedded GNC software implementation.  

Algorithms and Simulation 

• Lead GNC algorithm development – analyse, design, implement and validate algorithms for RPO (Rendezvous and Proximity Operations), working other engineering disciplines (especially flight dynamics, flight software) to develop safe GNC algorithm solutions which meet Astroscale’s project requirements (inc. technical and programmatic).  
• Ensure logical and well managed configuration control of the GNC algorithms.  
• Support development of GNC software architecture, with designs leading towards an overall GNC software solution.  
• Conducting and planning state-of-the-art research into GNC algorithm designs relevant to Astroscale’s missions.

• Lead GNC simulator development – implement and validate GNC simulator models and architecture. 
  
• Ensure logical and well managed configuration control of the GNC simulator.  

 

 Team Management 

• Lead the team to deliver GNC hardware and integration developments to the company project technical and programmatic requirements.  
• Review and mentoring of the above developments across the team, providing expert technical feedback.  
• Supporting internal and external review gates for Astroscale projects.  
• Support recruitment processes for new team members.  
• Produce well structured, realistic, clear plans with key activities, timescales, milestones and resources.  
• Scheduling tasks for team.  
• Regularly review progress against plans to ensure delivery.  

Essential Skills 

• Diploma, bachelor’s or master’s degree in aerospace engineering or another relevant engineering/science discipline.  
• 5+ years’ experience of some of:  

• • Use of GNC design and simulation software e.g. Matlab. 
  • Implementation of control laws, navigation algorithms. 
  • Modelling of environmental disturbances and satellite GNC hardware. 
  • Translating algorithms into operational flight software.  

• • Comprehensive theoretical knowledge in control law techniques and filtering techniques.  
  • Comprehensive theoretical knowledge of guidance strategies for RPO missions.  
  • GNC hardware integration and test. This should include closed-loop testing of GNC subsystems inclusive of embedded software.  
  • Extensive knowledge of state-of-the-art GNC technologies/hardware used in RPO missions (technologies, trade-offs, procurement, data processing etc).  
• Previous experience in leading commercial engineering teams.  
  

• Collaborative: able and willing to work with other engineering teams to ensure harmony and integration of all developments.  
• Supportive: has a strong focus on team development and fosters a positive working culture in the team.  
• Demonstrates behaviours in line with Astroscale values (mission and people focused, transparent, innovative and pioneering, diverse and customer focused) *always include 
• Fluency in both French and English

Desirable Skills 

• Preferable to have experience of implementation of RPO and docking algorithms/solutions.
• On-orbit operational experience of satellite missions.  
• Matlab/Simulink development skills – expert/advanced level.  
• C/C++ software development skills – intermediate level.  
• Embedded software development skills – intermediate level.  
• Knowledge of active debris removal missions e.g. RemoveDebris, e.DeOrbit, ATV, ELSA-d, CleanSpace, etc. 

About Astroscale

                                                

We aim to deliver cutting edge technologies that will become part of routine commercial space operations by 2030.

 

Astroscale is the first private company with a vision to secure the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations, and the only company dedicated to in-orbit servicing across all orbits. Founded in 2013, we are developing innovative and scalable solutions across the spectrum of in-orbit servicing missions, including End of Life services, Active Debris Removal, In-situ Space Situational Awareness and Life Extension Services, to create sustainable space systems and mitigate against the hazardous build-up of debris in space.

 

Astroscale is an Equal Opportunities employer and embraces a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

 

 

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.