Staff Engineer - Spacecraft Servicing

at  Space Machines Company

COMPANY DETAILS

Space Machines Company (SMC) is a pioneering on-orbit servicing provider, offering “Roadside Assistance, In Space” for commercial and government customers. With a fleet of versatile Optimus Orbital Servicing Vehicles (OSVs), SMC delivers essential services such as on-orbit inspection, monitoring, refueling, debris management, and satellite life extension. By focusing on space safety and sustainability, SMC is revolutionizing the way we maintain and support human presence in space.

ROLE

We are looking for a passionate, creative, and adaptable individual to join our team at SMC in the role of Staff Engineer – Spacecraft Servicing.
This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to design, plan and implement Rendezvous and Proximity Operation capable AOCS systems and approach strategies in a fast-paced dynamic environment. You will be joining a small collaborative team of specialists who will be individually responsible for their areas of expertise while also continuously and actively collaborating, cooperating and supporting their teammates in a cross-functional manner.
We are looking for an engineer with a strong background in Orbital Mechanics/AOCS analysis who has an active mind and can reduce broad, abstract problem statements to easily workable and executable outcomes through sound reasoning, practical approaches and creative problem solving.

As the In-Space Servicing Engineer – Orbital Specialist your role, under the guidance of the Payloads, Servicing/AOCS lead, is to:

• Generate, document, and distribute rendezvous and service execution strategies for In Space Servicing and Maintenance scenarios (inspection, capture, docking, etc.)
• Collaborate across engineering to provide concise and reasoned orbital analysis of satellite and mission scenarios to inform high level spacecraft design decisions across multiple domains (Power, Comms, Propulsion, Operations, Vehicle Design).
• Provide input and direction on long term constellation management and deployment. (Where, What, When).
• Work with operations to prepare and plan our in-space orbit management workflows.
• Design and develop algorithms and strategies for autonomous rendezvous with non-cooperative targets for on-vehicle demonstration.
• Provide coverage and assistance with general AOCS activities (Simulation, Modelling, Algorithm Generation, AIT, Development).

Profile

YOU WILL BE A GOOD FIT FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU HAVE:

• A master’s degree or higher in science/engineering with a focus on orbital mechanics.
• 3+ years of experience in AOCS/mission design/orbital analysis (flexible if the candidate can demonstrate competency and a good practical mindset).
• The ability to use and document the sound logic, reasoning and deduction required to work a loosely defined problem statement to create tangible actionable outcomes.
• A willingness and ability to work in domains outside of their realm of knowledge and understanding in an honest and pragmatic manner.
• Preferably demonstrated knowledge or experience in RPOD/ISAM trajectory/mission design or analysis.
• Preferably has knowledge of Passively Safe approach concepts (Walking Safety Ellipse, Way pointing, etc.)
• Preferably experience in Satellite simulation and modelling in Matlab/Simulink or other language.
• Preferably has knowledge or experience in algorithmic design for autonomous operations.
• Knowledge and experience in using orbital analysis software (GMAT/STK/FreeFlyer).
• Knowledge of and experience with Trajectory Optimization (cost minimization for ToF, Fuel Consumption, with arbitrary constraints)
• Additional knowledge or experience in other areas of Spacecraft design and engineering (with a particular focus on AOCS/GNC) is strongly preferred.