Attitude Determination and Control System Engineer

About Lynk:

Lynk is a satellite communications venture with a novel idea for a constellation of small satellites dedicated to telecommunications services. Founded by experienced commercial space entrepreneurs, the company is looking for an Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) Engineer to join our Satellite Engineering Team and support our efforts to build and test the key technologies related to our space and ground payloads. If you love working with Satellite ADCS systems, you should come to help Lynk build the most novel communications system the world has ever seen. 

Job Summary:

As an ADCS Engineer at Lynk, you will be responsible for the analysis, design, implementation, optimization and enhancement of satellite attitude determination and control systems for the satellites in our constellation. Some of your work products will include satellite ADCS system level design, flight code and algorithm design, ADCS component evaluations (e.g., sensors, effectors, etc.), ADCS component design, full hardware-in-the-loop simulation of satellite dynamics in lab, and design of lab test environments and set ups to support ADCS development and testing.

Core Responsibilities:

An ADCS Engineer at Lynk will straddle engineering work in the domains of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering.

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

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree (or better) in physics, engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience with satellite attitude determination and/or control systems.
• Recent participation in projects developing space hardware and software (preferably satellite attitude determination and/or control).
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with satellite 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 satellite propulsion systems, propulsion system CONOPS, and trajectory planning is a huge plus.
• Programming Proficiency in one or more programming languages is required (e.g., Rust, 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.

Job Location:

Washington, DC area.