5 months ago
Remote, United States or Hawthorne, CA, USASenior
Responsibilities
- Design, prototype, analyze, tune, verify, and validate navigation and localization algorithms for lunar and extraplanetary rover systems.
- Use simulated and real sensor data from motor resolvers, IMUs, star trackers, cameras, and LiDARs to develop localization solutions.
- Support GNC simulation, sensor models, analysis tooling, and automated verification and validation pipelines.
- Analyze algorithm performance under faulty sensors, invalid data, data dropouts, variable latency, and poor lighting conditions.
- Perform Monte Carlo analysis and establish test scenarios, pass/fail criteria, and test reports.
- Support navigation and localization flight software implementation, testing, verification, field testing, and live rover operations.
- Troubleshoot localization issues during rover operations.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least 5 years of experience designing, developing, and testing navigation and localization systems for rovers, autonomous vehicles, mobile robotic platforms, GPS-denied systems, or similar applications.
- Experience developing and applying state-estimation or localization solutions using multiple sensor inputs such as IMUs, wheel encoders or resolvers, LiDAR, cameras, radar, or GNSS.
- Preferred experience with odometry, Kalman filters, particle filters, visual odometry, vehicle kinematics and dynamics, sensor fusion, and real-world navigation challenges.
- Preferred experience supporting navigation or localization systems through 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, planetary mobility, autonomous robotic exploration, or GNC sensor systems is preferred.
Benefits
- Equity ownership in the company.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and mental health benefits.
- 401(k) plan with company match.
- Flexible paid time off and parental leave.
- Home office setup reimbursement.
- Weekly lunch stipend, complimentary snacks and beverages, and a monthly on-site social hour with food and drinks.
- Some travel may be required.
About Astrolab
Astrolab designs, builds, and plans to operate multi-purpose planetary rovers and lunar-surface systems—mobility, power, and data networks—for sustained operations on the Moon. The privately held company, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Hawthorne, California, targets government and commercial customers developing the lunar economy. Its flagship FLEX rover platform is designed for cargo transport and science on planetary surfaces.