What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Avionics & Communication position at Karman+?
Position Type: Full-time
As a pioneering asteroid mining company committed to unlocking the vast potential of space resources, the role of Senior Flight Software Engineer is central to the success of our mission. Spacecraft operations rely extensively on sophisticated flight software, and your leadership in this critical position will be instrumental in shaping the trajectory of our endeavors.
To excel in the role of Senior Flight Software Engineer success hinges on a combination of technical expertise, leadership acumen, and a passion for advancing space exploration. Here are the key elements that define success in this role:
- Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate a mastery of Real-time Operating Systems and a deep understanding of communication protocols (bonus for spacecraft experience), particularly in C/C coding capabilities.
- Leadership and Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment that encourages open communication, feedback, and cross-functional teamwork.
- Flight Operations Expertise: Ideally, bring experience in flight operations and demonstrate a keen understanding of the unique challenges associated with space missions.
- Innovative Problem-Solving: Exhibit a creative and innovative approach to problem-solving, particularly in the dynamic and evolving landscape of space exploration.
- Initiative and Adaptability: Demonstrate a proactive and self-driven work ethic, taking ownership of tasks and initiatives. Adapt seamlessly to the dynamic and challenging nature of the space exploration field.
We are seeking a talented and experienced Senior Flight Software Engineer to lead our flight software development. As a subject matter expert in software domains, processes, and system-specific challenges, you will play a pivotal role in architecting and developing the software infrastructure necessary for the success of our mission.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for software domains, processes and system-specific issues
- Build and lead a multi-disciplinary Flight Software Team responsible for architecting and developing tools, ground software, flight software and autonomous operations.
- Develop and maintain code, and integrate software components into a fully-functional software system, specifically for Navigation, GNC, Command and Data Handling, Thermal, Battery and Fault Detections and Recovery.
- Support the GNC team in the development and test of embedded navigation software including sensor and sensor-data management using C/C .
- Write and test software to build interfaces between the spacecraft bus and Karman payload.
- Collaborate on the implementation of the processor-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing, on-vehicle functional testing, and flight testing.
- Support the development of state estimation and sensor fusion algorithms for inertial and relative spacecraft navigation.
- Support the development and execution of component-level navigation test programs, including sensor characterization, sensor modeling, and integrated on-vehicle testing.
- Demonstrated experience in building systems, version control, and testing methodologies.
- Strong software design, development and verification skills, including debugging, performance optimization, and testing of embedded systems.
- Strong C/C coding capabilities.
- Significant experience in the entire software life cycle.
- Flight operations experience, especially for interplanetary spacecrafts.
- Demonstrated experience with hardware and software integration and testing, including experience with sensor device drivers and I/O.
- Proficient in vision-based navigation, including image processing and feature detection techniques, with operational expertise in inertial and relative navigation sensors, particularly cameras. Demonstrated experience in synthesizing state estimation algorithms and implementing Kalman filters for spacecraft navigation.
- Experience on software safety and hazard analysis.
- Ability to work effectively and creatively in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively.
- Experience in various spacecraft communication protocols (e.g. 1553, RS-422, RS-485, RS-232, SpaceWire, CCSDS).
- Strong Python coding development skills, including systems integration.
- 5 years' experience in flight software development specifically with GNC and autonomous systems.
- BS or MS in computer science, aerospace engineering, or related technical field.
- Demonstrated experience with Real-time Operating Systems.
- You are authorized to work in the U.S. as a US citizen (or equivalent) and are ITAR-compliant.
We Offer
Our cash compensation amount for this role is targeted at $110,000.00 - $180,000.00 annually in this location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience and expertise and may vary from the amount listed above.
As a member of the Karman team, you’ll enjoy an impressive benefits package:
- Equity Incentives - Participate in our shared success.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans for top tier plans with additional buy-up plan options.
- Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability covered by Karman
- Basic Life Insurance covered by Karman
- 401k plan
- Unlimited Paid Time Off - We focus on what you get done, not how many hours or days you work.
This position is available for hybrid work in Denver, CO. Hybrid work is understood to mean 2 to 3 days in the office per week or on an as-needed basis. If you reside in locations outside of daily commuting distance you will be considered, however, no relocation or travel assistance will be provided by Karman for this position. This position operates in an office environment. This entails working inside in an office space wherein you may be provided with a public work station (cubicle) or private offices. In the performance of the duties and responsibilities of this job, you will be required to view a computer terminal for prolonged periods of time.
Occasional travel to work site locations may be expected. Overnight stays may be required from time to time for training, seminars, conferences, meetings, events, or visits to onsite locations.
This job posting is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required. Karman reserves the right to change or assign additional duties, responsibilities, and activities at any time with or without notice.
Karman is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact hr@karmanplus.com.
Salary : $110,000 - $180,000