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
- 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
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
Preferred Qualifications
- 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
- 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
