GNC Engineer, Precise Navigation Solutions; Starlink

Space

X was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today Space

X is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

High-precision navigation is vital for a wide range of applications, from autonomous vehicles and robotics to geospatial services and global connectivity, enabling accurate positioning, efficient operations, and enhanced safety across diverse environments. Leveraging data from the Starlink satellite and ground-station network, this role offers a unique opportunity to pioneer GNSS-based solutions to enhance positioning accuracy for navigation devices. Space

X seeks exceptional candidates with expertise in navigation, GNSS signal processing, and orbit determination to develop and deploy a high-precision navigation system, optimizing performance for a variety of navigation applications.

This position provides an unparalleled chance to utilize real-time data from the world's largest satellite operator, transitioning innovative algorithms from concept to operational deployment in record time. Successful candidates will tackle unique challenges in high-precision positioning for ground assets, directly contributing to reliable, scalable, and cutting-edge navigation solutions for a global user base.

• Develop a real-time navigation pipeline using advanced GNSS techniques, assimilating multi-constellation data to achieve high-precision positioning in diverse terrestrial environments
• Implement ground-based processing systems to generate precise corrections for GNSS satellite clocks and ephemerides, enhancing navigation accuracy for a variety of devices
• Formulate, implement, deploy, and operate high-precision navigation algorithms, integrating sensor fusion from GNSS and other terrestrial sensors
• Collaborate with GNC, mission operations, and ground systems teams to integrate precise navigation solutions into diverse navigation applications, supporting tasks like autonomous navigation and geolocation services
• Maintain operational navigation models to improve position, velocity, and timing estimates for diverse assets

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline
• Software development experience in either C++ or Python
• Experience with navigation, orbit determination, or GNSS processing

• Advanced degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or equivalent disciplines with applications in precise navigation or GNSS-based positioning
• Strong understanding of GNSS observables (e.g., pseudorange, carrier phase), error modeling in terrestrial environments, and orbital mechanics for satellite ephemeris generation
• Experience implementing, testing, tuning, and operating advanced state-estimation filters for real-time state estimation in navigation applications
• Expertise in Precise Point Positioning (PPP), including ambiguity resolution, utilization of precise clock and orbit products, and ionospheric/tropospheric corrections for ground assets
• Proficiency in Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) techniques, including baseline processing, reference stations, and network RTK for high-accuracy differential positioning in terrestrial applications
• Familiarity with state-of-the-art navigation methods, such as PPP-RTK hybrids, multi-frequency/multi-constellation GNSS, and sensor fusion for tightly coupled solutions
• Experience with precise orbit determination, including the implementation of high-fidelity force models to support accurate satellite ephemeris generation
• Experience developing ground-based processing systems to generate real-time corrections for GNSS satellite clocks and ephemerides, leveraging data from ground stations or satellite constellations
• Proficiency in processing large volumes of GNSS data from ground receivers, and working with signal acquisition, tracking loops, and IQ samples
• Knowledge of GNSS hardware for ground assets, antenna modeling, and mitigation of environmental effects like…