Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Algorithms Engineer

Astroscale UK (ASUK) is seeking a technically strong Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer to join our UK-based GNC Algorithm and Simulation team, a key part of our Algorithms and Software Group. The successful candidate will play an important role in the design, development, verification and deployment of GNC algorithms and software for our spacecraft systems, working across the full development lifecycle from early concept and algorithm design through simulation, testing, integration and on-orbit operations.

Our mission is to capture and remove uncontrolled space debris, paving the way for innovative technologies that safeguard the long-term sustainability of orbital operations. You’ll contribute directly to this mission by developing the guidance, navigation and control capabilities required for rendezvous and proximity operations, including autonomous navigation, relative pose estimation, guidance, control and the simulation environment required to demonstrate it.

This is an opportunity to work on GNC technologies at the forefront of in-orbit servicing and active debris removal, where the algorithms you develop and the simulations you build will contribute to real spacecraft missions. You will be encouraged to take ownership of challenging technical problems, develop innovative solutions and collaborate with a multidisciplinary, international team to turn advanced GNC concepts into reliable flight-ready systems.

Responsibilities 

• Design, develop, implement and test GNC algorithms for ASUK missions.
• Design, develop, validate and maintain high-fidelity GNC simulation environments for algorithm development and performance assessment, including spacecraft hardware models and orbital and attitude dynamics.
• Contribute to the design and testing of GNC flight software.
• Support hardware trade-offs analysis, with a particular focus on Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) technologies and their impact on GNC performance.
• Support the integration of GNC software on the ASUK satellite platforms.
• Support system-level activities, including the definition and analysis of FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis) and FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery) concepts and processes.
• Support GNC verification and validation activities, including the definition of verification strategies, test plans and procedures, and their execution at subsystem level.

• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (Systems, CV, Flight Dynamics, etc.) in the planning, design and development of ASUK mission/system to ensure software and hardware performance and compatibility

Essential Skills

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering or other relevant engineering/science discipline.
• Minimum 2 years' industrial experience in GNC algorithm development and deployment.
• Experience in the space industry, with knowledge and practical experience in several of the following areas;
  • GNC algorithm design and development, such as navigation filters, guidance strategies and spacecraft attitude/orbit control.
  • High-fidelity simulation and modelling of spacecraft GNC systems.
  • GNC sensors/actuators modelling.
  • Orbital and attitude dynamics modelling.
  • Simulation and development environments such as MATLAB/Simulink and Python.
  • Software version control and collaborative development using Git.
  • Development, testing and deployment of GNC algorithms into software or flight-software environments.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and decision-making abilities.
• Proactive and self-managing.
• Excellent inter-personal skills, willing to collaborate effectively with people in different roles and with different cultural & technical backgrounds.
• Good knowledge of software configuration management.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing project requirements.
• Eligible to gain, or current holder of, UK Security clearance to SC level

Desirable skills

• Knowledge and experience of GNC rendezvous and pose estimation sensors and methods
• Good understanding of spacecraft relative dynamics
• Experience with GNC hardware testing
• On-orbit operational experience with satellite missions, including GNC commissioning, in-orbit testing or anomaly investigation
• Experience with automatic code generation (autocoding) for GNC algorithm implementation and/or flight software deployment
• Experience with software development in C/C++
• Experience working with automated testing, continuous integration and software quality assurance processes
• Knowledge of robotics dynamics, kinematics and control

All applicants must have an independent right to work in the UK (without sponsorship) at the time of application.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment
• Optional 9/75 working pattern
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements)
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance considered
• Visa sponsorship for employees considered
• State of the art office and cleanroom facility
• Regular social events 

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell).

About Astroscale

Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space. The company delivers a variety of innovative and scalable on-orbit servicing solutions, including life extension, refurbishment, upgrades, in-situ space situational awareness, end-of-life, and active debris removal. Since its first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions. Astroscale spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, relocate, remove, and extend the life of spacecraft, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked. Headquartered in Japan, Astroscale has a global presence with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Israel. Find out more about Astroscale at www.astroscale.com.

At Astroscale UK we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale UK is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale UK operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.