Guidance Navigation and Control Systems Team Lead

Astroscale

Harwell, United Kingdom

Astroscale UK (ASUK) is looking to recruit a Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Systems Team Lead. The Systems group is responsible for all aspects of Astroscale’s System engineering discipline inclusive of all relevant mission subsystems.

In your role as GNC Systems Lead Engineer you will lead the overall design and verification of the Guidance, Navigation (including Computer Vision), and Control subsystem for ASUK missions.

You will be able to demonstrate your technical skill, ability to be a team player and ability to deliver in accordance with the various drivers associated with commercial organisations.

GNC systems for Astroscale missions require both standard and bespoke GNC & Computer vision 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.

Responsibilities

Drive development of GNC systems (requirements, FDIR, V&V strategy etc.) for Astroscale projects, ensuring integration of GNC algorithms, Computer Vision algorithms and GNC Hardware for RPO (Rendezvous and Proximity Operations) missions;
Drive the logical integration of the technical GNC subsystem work packages and overall solution, including the subsystem development and verification plans;
Collaborate with other engineering disciplines in the planning, design and development of AS mission/system to ensure required GNC subsystem performance and compatibility;
Plan and execute GNC subsystem verification and test activities;
Drive GNC subsystem’s review gates and contribute to mission review gates;
Conduct state-of-the-art research into GNC (hardware and algorithm) designs relevant to Astroscale’s missions and perform subsystem level design and trade-off analysis;
Support GNC algorithm development for Rendezvous and Proximity Operation (RPO) missions;
Support development of GNC software architecture, with designs leading towards an overall GNC software solution;
Liaise with customers and/or suppliers to characterize GNC system constraints/requirements, identify and/or present the technical GNC solution;
Provide support to mission’s technical and programmatic leadership;
Provide support and analysis for on-orbit operations of AS spacecraft.

Team Management

Lead the team to deliver GNC related specifications, analysis, and verification activities to the company project technical and programmatic requirements;
Review of the above developments and mentoring 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 the team;
Regularly review progress against plans to ensure delivery.

Essential Skills

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or another relevant engineering/science discipline;
5+ years’ relevant experience in a GNC related field;
Hands on experience of most of the following:
- Development of GNC systems;
- GNC requirement derivation and verification;
- Design and implementation of control laws and navigation algorithms;
- Theoretical knowledge of guidance strategies for RPO missions;
- Translating algorithms into operational flight software;
- GNC hardware integration and test;
- Knowledge of state-of-the-art GNC technologies/hardware used in space 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).

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.

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