Optical Navigation Engineer

Overview:

KinetX Aerospace Space Navigation and Flight Dynamics (SNAFD) team is a unique, trusted source for deep space mission design and navigation. The team is a world-class provider of end-to-end orbit dynamics solutions, from mission design through orbit operations to end of mission.

Our engineers leverage their vast experience and proven skills to produce comprehensive mission analyses, trade studies, and systems engineering plans. We are the first privately held company to provide navigation and flight dynamics expertise for NASA's deep space missions; first for New Horizons to the Pluto System and for MESSENGER to Mercury, and have now expanded that portfolio to OSIRIS-REx, Lucy, DAVINCI, LunaH-Map, OSIRIS-APEX, and more. Furthermore, we support commercial customers with objectives to the moon, asteroids, and beyond.

Using the best-practices approach to multi-mission navigation provides our customers with reliable customer-focused support in a very collaborative environment. We continue to grow our services for Government and Commercial space enterprise, pushing the frontiers in space exploration.

Task Description:

We are seeking qualified candidates for a full-time position with the Optical Navigation Group at KinetX, Inc. with a company base in Littleton, CO. The position is to support the Optical Navigation (OpNav) group, a technical specialty group within the SNAFD team. The primary tasks for the position include:

·      Optical Navigation ground and flight software development, testing, integration, and flight validation.

·      Optical Navigation operational analysis, calibration, planning, and image processing, with opportunities to support OSIRIS-APEX, Lucy, commercial lunar missions, and more.

·      Shape modelling and digital terrain mapping of planetary surfaces, including asteroids and the moon.

Basic Qualifications:

·      Bachelor’s Degree in aerospace engineering, astronomy/physics, optical/electrical engineering, computer science, or related field.

·      GPA of 3.5 or higher (4.0 scale).

·      Knowledge in optical navigation field with expertise in at least one or more of the following domains: celestial navigation, terrain-relative navigation, observational astronomy, astrodynamics, computer vision, or software engineering.

·      Proficiency in Python, C/C , and Linux-based systems.

·      Excellent technical, communications and interpersonal skills.

·      Demonstrated experience in leading work groups and teams.

·      Self-motivated individual capable of performing engineering tasks autonomously with minimal management oversight.

·      Must be a U.S. citizen.

·      Must pass KinetX and NASA background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications:

·      Master’s degree or higher in similar disciplines as listed above.

·      Experience with one or more of the following: astronomical image processing, planetary shape/terrain modeling, optical systems design and testing, statistical estimation, photometric analysis, deep space mission operations, embedded software development, space systems engineering, space domain awareness, or AI/ML techniques.

·      Willingness to obtain security clearance for advanced work

·      Proficiency or exposure to Mac OS, MATLAB, FORTRAN, and NASA’s SPICE toolkit.

·      Knowledge or experience with proper code development and configuration management techniques.

Additional Requirements:

·      Must be available to travel and occasionally work extended hours for team meetings and critical operations support, as needed.

·      Must be willing to cross-train in other deep space navigation disciplines at KinetX as required to maintain our multi-mission workforce.

In accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (C.R.S. § 8-5-101 et seq.) the estimated salary wage for the position is $80k - $130k (Colorado location only). Individual qualifications and experience will be used to determine final agreed upon salary wage.

Equal Employment Opportunity

KinetX does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Successful applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

To apply:

Email Coralie Adam (coralie.adam@kinetx.com) with the following:

·      Email Subject: Full Time KinetX OpNav Position:

·      Cover Letter in email body

·      Attached Resume/CV in PDF

Salary : $80 - $130