Senior Technical Program Manager (Active TS/SCI)

🏢 Summary: The role involves owning the ADCS for in-orbit data centers, developing and deploying high-reliability GNC algorithms and software to ensure optimal satellite constellation performance. The engineer will design architectures, perform constellation optimization and collision avoidance analysis, and support real-time satellite operations. This position requires strong expertise in orbital mechanics, control theory, state estimation, and spacecraft GNC software development. 🗂️ Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related engineering discipline, Experience developing, debugging, and deploying spacecraft GNC software, Strong knowledge of orbital mechanics, Experience with low thrust trajectory optimization and stationkeeping, Ability to support on-call satellite operations, U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or export authorization eligibility 📃 Skills: GNC, ADCS, OrbitalMechanics, ControlTheory, StateEstimation, GNSS, OrbitDetermination, AttitudeDetermination, CollisionAvoidance, TrajectoryOptimization, Simulation, FlightSoftware, Avionics, Python, C++ 🏢 Description: Position Overview: As a GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineer, you will own the ADCS of in-orbit data centers. You will develop algorithms, simulations, and tools, leveraging a strong foundation in orbital mechanics, control theory, state estimation, and software development. You will select ADCS architectures, create and maintain production code, perform detailed performance analysis, and support on-call operations to ensure the satellite network operates at peak efficiency. Key Responsibilities: Algorithm and Software Development: - Develop and implement high-reliability and high-performance GNC algorithms, simulations, tools, and dashboards. - Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews to ensure high-quality software solutions. - Conduct comprehensive data analysis to review performance metrics from elements of the satellite constellation and network. - Produce detailed technical documentation for programs, algorithms, and analytical methods. System Integration and Support: - Support on-call operations rotation, command satellites, and review network data to maintain optimal performance. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance GNC system performance and ensure seamless integration. Optimization and Analysis: - Perform constellation design and optimization, fleet management, satellite orbit transfer automation, and collision avoidance. - Conduct constellation-level and network-level analysis of existing and proposed satellite systems. Basic Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering discipline. - Experience developing, debugging, and deploying software for spacecraft GNC. - Deep understanding of orbital mechanics, including low thrust trajectory optimization and stationkeeping. Preferred Qualifications: - Master's degree or PhD in an engineering discipline or Physics. - Experience verifying GNC algorithm performance through simulation and validating simulation models. - Expertise in state estimation, including attitude determination, orbit determination, GNSS, and radio navigation. - Familiarity with numerical probability of collision methods such as Alfano, Foster, and Hall. - Knowledge of spacecraft flight disciplines including structures, propulsion, avionics, GNC, flight software, dynamics, launch and mission operations, and integration. - Strong problem-solving and analytical skills. - Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. - Strong written and verbal communication skills. Compensation and Benefits: Annual salary: L1: $120,000 - $155,000 L2: $145,000 - $195,000 Benefits include: - Stock options, discretionary bonuses, and long-term incentives. - Medical, vision, and dental coverage. - 401(k) retirement plan with company match. - Short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave. - Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave. Additional Requirements: - Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical project milestones. - Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for authorization under U.S. export regulations.

🏢 Summary: Hands-on Loads and Dynamics Engineer role focused on analyzing and validating spacecraft structural and dynamic performance across transportation, launch, deployment, and on-orbit operations. The position covers finite element modeling, vibration and shock analysis, environmental testing, data processing, and model correlation for large deployable space structures. It involves end-to-end ownership of dynamic testing and close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure spacecraft reliability and qualification. 🗂️ Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related technical field, 4+ years of experience in dynamics, structural analysis, mechanical testing, or aerospace hardware development, Experience analyzing test data and supporting mechanical qualification of flight or launch vehicle systems, Strong fundamentals in vibrations, structural dynamics, mechanics, and frequency-domain analysis, Experience with finite element modeling or structural analysis tools, Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as required, U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or eligibility under U.S. export regulations 📃 Skills: Ansys, NX, FEM, Vibration, Modal, Acoustic, Shock, SignalProcessing, StructuralDynamics, FiniteElementModeling, Python, MATLAB, DataProcessing, FrequencyDomain, Fatigue, Stability 🏢 Description: Company Overview: Starcloud is building a network of data centers in space, starting at kilowatts and scaling to gigawatt capacity. Falling launch costs allow the company to take advantage of abundant energy, radiative cooling techniques, and rapid scaling in space. Position Overview As a Loads and Dynamics Engineer, you will be responsible for low- and high-frequency loads, vibration, shock, and dynamic environments for spacecraft during ground transportation, launch, deployment, and on-orbit operations. This role is highly hands-on and spans analysis, test planning, hardware instrumentation, test execution, data processing, and model correlation. You will work closely with mechanical, mechanisms, structures, thermal, avionics, and integration teams to ensure space-based data centers can survive launch, deploy reliably, and operate safely in orbit. The ideal candidate has strong intuition in the frequency domain, solid analytical and software skills, and a bias toward building, testing, and iterating quickly. Key Responsibilities Loads, Dynamics, and Structural Analysis - Resolve spacecraft dynamics problems through analysis, test, and model correlation. - Develop and maintain finite element models for spacecraft structures, mechanisms, deployable solar arrays, deployable radiators, and related hardware. - Perform dynamic analyses for launch, transportation, deployment, and on-orbit operational environments. - Analyze vibration, shock, acoustic, transient, modal, and forcing-function environments. - Support stress, fatigue, stability, and margin analyses to improve spacecraft reliability. - Use commercial and in-house tools to perform analysis and develop new tools where needed. Testing and Validation - Own dynamic testing from start to finish, including pre-test analysis, test planning, sensor selection, instrumentation, setup, execution, data processing, and post-test reporting. - Plan and execute vibration, modal, shock, and other environmental tests for spacecraft hardware. - Process and interpret test data using signal processing techniques. - Correlate test results with analytical models and update models as needed. - Define qualification and acceptance test approaches for flight hardware. - Produce clear test reports, analysis documentation, and recommendations for design improvements. Tooling and Cross-Functional Engineering - Build scripts, analysis pipelines, databases, and internal tools to improve speed and quality of dynamics work. - Work with design engineers to identify and resolve structural or dynamic risks early in the design cycle. - Support trades across mass, stiffness, manufacturability, cost, schedule, reliability, and performance. - Collaborate with manufacturing, integration, and test teams to ensure hardware is designed for efficient build and qualification. - Contribute to fast design iteration for large lightweight deployable spacecraft structures. Basic Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline. - 4+ years of experience in dynamics, structural analysis, mechanical testing, or hands-on aerospace hardware development. - Experience analyzing test data, building hardware, or supporting mechanical qualification of flight or launch vehicle systems. - Strong analytical fundamentals in vibrations, structural dynamics, mechanics, and frequency-domain analysis. - Experience with finite element modeling or structural analysis tools. Preferred Qualifications - Master’s or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. - Experience with vibration, modal, acoustic, or shock testing. - Experience with Ansys, NX, or similar analysis tools. - Experience building, correlating, and validating finite element models. - Working knowledge of strength, stability, fatigue, and failure mechanisms. - Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, satellite, or deployable space structures. - Experience with large lightweight structures, deployable solar arrays, deployable radiators, or spacecraft mechanisms. - Strong software skills for analysis automation, data processing, signal processing, or internal tool development. - Ability to work independently in a fast-moving hardware development environment. Compensation and Benefits Annual salary: $130,000 - $200,000 - Stock options, discretionary bonuses, and other long-term incentives. - Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage. - 401(k) retirement plan with company match. - Short- and long-term disability insurance. - Life insurance. - Paid parental leave. - Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave. Actual compensation will be determined based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, and level. Additional Requirements: - Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical project milestones. - Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for authorization under U.S. export regulations. Equal Opportunity Employer: Starcloud is committed to fostering an inclusive and meritocratic workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application or interview process should notify the Human Resources Department.