GNC Spacecraft Engineer

Who We Are: 

Inversion was founded in 2021 with the mission to build the first affordable, high cadence return capability for the commercial and defense space industries. With launching to space becoming cheap and frequent, comparable options for return must become available to allow for a robust economy in space. We believe in a future where returning from space is as common as launching to space. Inversion is building reentry vehicles faster and cheaper than ever before through a focus on simplicity. 

This next-generation class of space vehicle will finally be able to provide high-frequency return of research, goods, supplies, and equipment that is critical for all future commercial activities and supply chains in space. With launch costs at an all-time low and dropping, now is the time to build these round-trip capabilities. Inversion has ambitious goals with strong financial backing to make this a reality. 

What You’ll Do: 

Our spacecraft GNC engineer will slot into a small GNC team and own responsibility for architecting, designing, and developing the on orbit ADCS system for our Arc reentry vehicle. This begins with blank sheet development of requirements and capabilities for the vehicle’s performance while it operates on orbit and continues into component selection, algorithm development, and testing. Further, this role will be heavily involved with designing the optimal orbits and constellations for a fleet of reentry vehicles. You will be faced with the unique challenge of designing a vehicle that must act like a spacecraft on orbit while still maintaining the capabilities of a highly maneuverable reentry vehicle. When done correctly, this design will optimize over both interfaces and create a vehicle unlike any that has been built.  

Required Qualifications: 

• Familiar with spacecraft GNC algorithms for pointing, maneuvering, and orbital transfers. 
• Strong skills in astrodynamics and orbit design 
• Experience with spacecraft specific sensors and actuators (reaction wheels, magnetorquers, star trackers or IMUs) 
• Proficient with MATLAB 
• Familiar with C/C++ or Python 
• 2+ years of applicable experience 
• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in computer science, physics, aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or related field OR equivalent experience 
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Completed master’s degree or higher education 
• Strong software design skills
• Experience with:
  • Verification and validation of GNC
  • Constellation design
  • Spacecraft Operations
  • Rendezvous and proximity operations
  • Flex and slosh 

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $100,000-150,000.  Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.