The Role
The engineer will design, develop, analyze, and validate localization algorithms for rovers using various sensors and support flight software implementations and testing.
Summary Generated by Built In
Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.
The Rover Navigation/Localization Engineer will be responsible for the design, analysis, development, tuning, verification, and validation of localization solutions for Astrolab’s rovers. Astrolab’s localization solutions utilize inputs from multiple types of sensors (e.g. IMU, star tracker, Lidar, cameras) to estimate vehicle state while also tolerating real world conditions such as data dropouts, invalid data, transmission latencies, and similar. The Rover Navigation/Localization Engineer will be creating localization solutions that function reliably under real world conditions.
Note: Some travel may be required for this position
The Rover Navigation/Localization Engineer will be responsible for the design, analysis, development, tuning, verification, and validation of localization solutions for Astrolab’s rovers. Astrolab’s localization solutions utilize inputs from multiple types of sensors (e.g. IMU, star tracker, Lidar, cameras) to estimate vehicle state while also tolerating real world conditions such as data dropouts, invalid data, transmission latencies, and similar. The Rover Navigation/Localization Engineer will be creating localization solutions that function reliably under real world conditions.
Note: Some travel may be required for this position
What you'll do:
- Design, prototype, and analyze navigation/localization algorithms for extraplanetary mobility systems using simulated and real data from motor resolvers, IMUs, star trackers, cameras, and LiDARs
- Support development of a GNC simulation, sensor models, and tooling for analysis, verification, and validation of rover localization algorithms
- Analyze localization algorithm performance under real-world conditions such as faulty sensors, invalid data, data dropouts, variable data latencies, and poor lighting conditions
- Perform Monte Carlo analysis to demonstrate localization algorithm performance to a high degree of statistical significance under nominal and off-nominal conditions
- Support navigation/localization flight software implementation, testing, and verification
- Support field testing of localization solutions on multiple test platforms
- Stand up automated pipelines, test scenarios, test pass/fail criteria, and test reports for localization flight software verification and validation
- Support live rover operations and troubleshoot any localization issues that may arise during lunar operations
What you'll bring:
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- 5+ years of experience designing, developing, and testing navigation and localization systems for rovers, autonomous vehicles, mobile robotic platforms, GPS-denied navigation systems, or similar applications
- Experience developing and applying state-estimation or localization solutions using multiple sensor inputs, including IMUs, wheel encoders/resolvers, LiDAR, cameras, radar, GNSS, or similar sensors
- Experience developing and applying odometry solutions using multiple sensor modalities
- Experience designing, tuning, developing, analyzing, and verifying Kalman filters, particle filters, or similar state-estimation techniques
- Experience applying vehicle kinematics and dynamics principles to wheeled vehicle navigation and localization problems
- Experience developing, testing, or applying visual odometry solutions
- Experience addressing real-world navigation and localization challenges, including invalid sensor data, packet loss, communication latency, image degradation, and similar operational conditions.
- Experience supporting navigation or localization systems through multiple phases of the product lifecycle, including development, testing, integration, and operational support
- Strong C++ and Python software development skills
- Experience developing software tools for localization, perception, sensor-fusion tuning, performance analysis, and debugging
- Experience with extraterrestrial rover navigation systems, planetary mobility systems, or other autonomous robotic exploration platforms
- Experience working with GNC-related sensors and associated error characteristics, including IMUs, star trackers, LiDAR, cameras, radar, GNSS receivers, and similar devices
Benefits and Perks
- Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Equity ownership in the company
- Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Flexible PTO and parental leave
- Home office set up reimbursement
- Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
- Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks
About
Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values. At Astrolab we…Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life. Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.
Skills Required
- 7+ years designing, developing, and testing navigation/localization systems for rovers or GPS-denied navigation systems
- Experience with odometry based on multiple sensors such as IMU, wheel resolvers, LIDAR, cameras
- Experience designing, tuning, developing, analyzing, and verifying filters like Kalman filters or particle filters
- Familiarity with equations of motion for wheeled vehicles
- Experience with visual odometry algorithms
- Experience dealing with real-world issues affecting navigation/localization system performance
- Experience supporting navigation/localization systems through the entire lifecycle
- Strong C++ and Python coding skills
- Experience developing tools for verification and validation of navigation/localization algorithms and flight software
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The Company
What We Do
Astrolab designs and develops robotic mobility systems for planetary exploration, deploying surface mobility and infrastructure to enable sustained human and commercial operations on the Moon and Mars.
