Rust Job: Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) E

Job Title: Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) Engineer

Job Type: Full-Time
Location: On-site - Washington, DC area

Company Overview: We are a pioneering satellite communications venture, advancing with a unique constellation of small satellites aimed at telecommunication services. We are spearheaded by seasoned entrepreneurs in the commercial space sector. Our team is expanding, and we are searching for a skilled Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) Engineer to enhance our Satellite Engineering Team. This role will focus on the development and testing of essential technologies for both our space and ground-based payloads.

Job Summary: The ADCS Engineer will be instrumental in the analysis, design, implementation, optimization, and enhancement of satellite attitude determination and control systems. This position entails comprehensive responsibilities from system level design of satellite ADCS, development of flight code and algorithms, to hardware-in-the-loop simulation for satellite dynamics, and setting up lab test environments for ADCS validation.

Core Responsibilities:

• Develop and enhance the satellite ADCS architecture which includes components and systems for both relative and absolute attitude measurements.

• Update the Concept of Operations for the satellite ADCS and related ground systems.

• Collaborate with the Systems Engineering team to refine network architecture and design, leveraging satellite ADCS system performance.

• Lead the development of 6 DOF simulations for evaluating the ADCS.

• Analyze requirements for ADCS component performance, including sizing, accuracy, sensor noise, reliability, redundancy, and fault management.

• Select appropriate sensors and effectors for attitude determination such as rate sensors, magnetometers, sun sensors, horizon sensors, thermal sensors, star trackers, magnetorquers, reaction wheels, and propulsive components.

• Optimize sensor and effector types, numbers, and placements on spacecraft.

• Create algorithms and software for various pointing modes and control scenarios.

• Integrate, test, and validate ADCS components and software both on satellites and in simulation environments.

• Organize and execute payload testing configurations for both lab and in-orbit validations.

• Assist in satellite integration, testing, and handover to launch providers.

• Maintain and document ADCS architecture, designs, and development processes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree or higher in Physics, Engineering, or a related field.

• Over 5 years of experience in satellite attitude determination or control systems.

• Recent involvement in projects focused on developing space hardware and software, preferably related to satellite ADCS.

• Extensive experience with ADCS components such as IMUs, magnetometers, star trackers, reaction wheels, and magnetorquers.

• Profound knowledge of flight guidance, navigation, control systems and software; familiarity with satellite propulsion systems and trajectory planning is advantageous.

• Strong programming skills in languages such as Rust, C, Python, MATLAB, etc.

• Experienced in Linux environments; familiarity with programming microcontrollers is beneficial.

• Competence in using computer systems and software, including Microsoft Office suite.

• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a dynamic team setting.