Lead GNC and Perception Engineer

Astrolab

Lead GNC and perception systems development for Astrolab’s planetary rovers. Managing technical strategy and engineering team for extreme environment operations.

Posted 7/15/2026full-timeHawthorne • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $142,000 - $235,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive expertise in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems, with a strong focus on developing and optimizing perception and autonomy systems for space vehicles. Proven ability to lead high-performing engineering teams and manage complex technical programs in challenging environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

GNC System DevelopmentPerception System DesignAutonomy Software OptimizationTeam LeadershipEmbedded System Implementation

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Guidance SystemsNavigation SystemsControl SystemsSensor IntegrationImage ProcessingLocalizationMulti-Sensor OdometryHazard DetectionRoute PlanningMonte Carlo Analysis

Soft Skills

Team ManagementMentoringTechnical Strategy

Tools & Technologies

Simulation PlatformsEmbedded PlatformsTesting Environments

Industry Keywords

Extraterrestrial Rover OperationsNASA Mission AssuranceLunar TerrainAutonomous Vehicle OperationsVehicle Development Lifecycle

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the GNC systems that enable Astrolab’s rovers to operate safely and effectively in extreme environments
Lead technical strategy and execution across guidance, navigation, control, and perception while managing and mentoring a high-performing engineering team
Set system vision, make critical design decisions, drive execution, and ensure autonomy systems perform reliably on flight-ready vehicles operating on the lunar surface
Lead the design, verification, validation, testing, and characterization of GNC and perception systems for manual, semi-autonomous, and autonomous rover operations
Define GNC and perception technical direction and system architecture with inputs from stakeholders across GNC, avionics, and software
Manage and mentor a team of GNC and perception engineers
Work closely with avionics responsible engineers to select, test, characterize, and calibrate GNC and perception sensors
Work closely with the simulation and software teams to prototype and analyze GNC algorithms in the vehicle simulation and software test environment
Define and oversee testing and validation of the integrated GNC solution on a variety of simulation and test platforms in lab and analog environments
Ensure the GNC and perception system design, implementation, and testing are closely coordinated with affected stakeholders such as vehicle engineering, avionics, software, and mission operations team
Ensure the GNC and perception system design and implementation meet all applicable safety, reliability, and fault tolerance requirements
Balance performance, risk, and embedded compute constraints
Ensure that rover GNC and perception systems support the required tele-operated, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous vehicle operations
Ensure the GNC team provides support during rover operations on the lunar surface

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of experience developing GNC, perception, and autonomy systems for space vehicles, extraterrestrial rovers, or autonomous terrestrial vehicles
Experience leading high-performing engineering teams and delivering complex technical programs under aggressive timelines and constrained resources
Strong background supporting full vehicle development lifecycles, from architecture and trade studies through embedded implementation, verification, testing, and operations
Deep expertise in perception and navigation systems, including sensor integration, image processing, localization, multi-sensor odometry, terrain-relative navigation, pose estimation, hazard detection, terrain mapping, and route planning
Experience designing and executing autonomy and navigation test campaigns across simulation, lab, field, and analog environments and using statistical analysis methods such as Monte Carlo
Hands-on experience developing and optimizing embedded autonomy, perception, and navigation software for compute- and power-constrained systems
Familiarity with the unique challenges of extraterrestrial rover operations, including lunar terrain, lighting conditions, regolith, thermal constraints, limited power environments, and NASA mission assurance expectations
Prior experience implementing and testing GNC and perception system software on real flight hardware or embedded platforms

Benefits

Comp & 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
Fully flexible and remote friendly work environment
Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks