Payload GNC Engineer

Astroscale U.S. is dedicated to the global Astroscale vision of ensuring the safe and sustainable development of space for future generations.  Astroscale U.S. Inc. is a leading provider of on-orbit servicing solutions — including inspection, transportation, life extension, debris removal and refueling — for the U.S. government and commercial operators around the world. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Astroscale U.S. applies world-class rendezvous, proximity operations and docking capabilities, mission design, policy, and economics expertise to solve the complex challenges our customers face. 

Astroscale U.S. Inc. is currently seeking a Payload GNC Engineer to join our team in our Denver, Colorado location. In this role, you will work on systems design of a variety of programs for Astroscale service missions. You will be integral to developing the on-orbit servicing solutions that will deliver our vision of a sustainable space environment.

• Analyze mission need and select payload components for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) satellite missions based on anticipated performance.
• Create computer vision algorithms that tie to the use of relative navigation for RPO based on the anticipated satellite performance.
• Decompose, verify, and validate mission GNC requirements.
• Support the design, integration, and testing of payload systems.
• Create RPO designs based on the satellite capabilities and mission requirements.
• Lead, substantiate, and agree on system design trade-offs in support of design maturation and program success.
• Collaborate with customer and supplier staff and staff from other parts of Astroscale.

• Experience with electro-optical sensors, infrared sensors, laser range finders, and onboard computing platforms.
• Experience in computer vision and guidance, navigation, and control algorithms.
• Experience with systems engineering principles and tools and applying systems-thinking at various levels of the design lifecycle.
• Ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately and organize work assignments to meet established timetables.
• Collaborative communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to thrive in a dynamic and agile environment, meeting challenges such as balancing the system engineering needs of programs at different stages of maturity and enabling successful remote collaboration with various teams around the world.
• Experienced professional with greater than 4 years’ experience in engineering.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another STEM-related field, or equivalent professional experience.

If you’re passionate about our mission and believe you’d be an outstanding addition to our team, don’t worry about checking every single box—or having a background solely in aerospace or defense. At Astroscale U.S., we’re committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and open-minded environment. We embrace a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking. If you’re excited about contributing to our work and think you’d thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Salary range: $115,000 – $135,000. The salary range represents the low and high end of the Astroscale U.S. Inc. salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to experience, knowledge, and ability as applicable to the role.

The application deadline is October 26, 2025.

Please note Astroscale U.S. is a U.S. Government registered, export control compliant company, as such applicants should be a U.S. person or U.S. citizen.
Astroscale U.S. Inc. is an E-Verify employer.