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Navigation Engineer (5-8 yrs) Verified today

Advanced Space · Westminster, CO · Space Systems · first seen 2026-07-16
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About the Role

Advanced Space is seeking a Navigation Engineer with 5-8 years of experience to develop advanced spacecraft navigation solutions for ambitious space missions. You'll develop navigation algorithms, perform orbit determination analyses, and support mission-critical navigation systems across multiple flight programs.

In this role, you'll contribute to NASA's CAPSTONE spacecraft operating in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) around the Moon and AFRL's Oracle, a lunar space situational awareness mission, while helping shape the future of cislunar exploration.

What You'll Do

  • Develop and analyze spacecraft navigation solutions, performing orbit determination, trajectory reconstruction, covariance analysis, and spacecraft navigation assessments for mission planning and flight operations.
  • Build robust estimation architectures by configuring, tuning, and validating Kalman filters and other estimation techniques for radiometric, optical, and GPS navigation. Develop and maintain force models, measurement models, and navigation toolchains.
  • Support mission operations through routine orbit determination updates, console support, trajectory monitoring, and operational procedure improvements.
  • Collaborate with mission design, software, systems engineering, and flight dynamics teams while communicating navigation analyses and technical recommendations to customers and stakeholders.
  • Support navigation planning, technical task identification, proposal development, and internal research initiatives that advance Advanced Space's capabilities.

Who Thrives Here

  • 5-8 years of experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, astrodynamics, or closely related discipline
  • Experience performing orbit determination, trajectory reconstruction, and covariance analysis
  • Comfortable configuring, tuning, and validating Kalman filters or other state estimation techniques
  • Hands-on experience with industry-standard astrodynamics and navigation tools such as MONTE, FreeFlyer, ODTK, GMAT, or STK
  • Understanding of tracking measurements including range, Doppler, optical observations, GPS, or angles-only measurements and their impact on navigation performance
  • Experience using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools to automate navigation analyses and data processing
  • Clear communication of technical concepts to engineers, customers, and mission teams
  • Ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines and take ownership of challenges

Bonus Points

  • Leadership or support of spacecraft flight operations
  • Navigation support during spacecraft development programs
  • Cislunar, NRHO, Lagrange point, or three-body orbit navigation
  • MONTE astrodynamics toolkit
  • Timing systems, clock errors, and navigation error source analysis
  • Proposal development or IRAD activities
  • Active or previous security clearance
  • Master's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Physics, Mathematics, or related field

Compensation and Benefits

  • Base Salary: $115,500-$148,400 (based on experience, qualifications, and location)
  • Signing bonus
  • Quarterly performance bonuses
  • Company-sponsored medical benefits and 401(k)
  • Flexible time off
  • Relocation assistance

This position is open to U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents) only. Visa sponsorship is not available.