Lead Rover Navigation and Perception Engineer

Astrolab

Lead rover navigation and perception engineering for Astrolab, which builds lunar rovers, power, and data networks. Designing, testing, and validating autonomous systems for CLV-1 lunar operations.

Posted 8/11/2026full-timeRemote • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $142,000 - $235,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing, developing, and testing navigation and perception systems for extraterrestrial rovers, with a strong focus on sensor fusion, obstacle detection, and performance validation. Proficient in C++ and Python programming, ensuring robust solutions that meet NASA human-rated spacecraft system requirements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Navigation And Perception System DesignSensor Fusion And Kalman FilteringC++ And Python ProgrammingObstacle Detection And Avoidance AlgorithmsNASA Human-Rated Spacecraft System Requirements

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Navigation System TestingLocalization System DevelopmentPerception System ValidationSensor CharacterizationData Latency ManagementWheeled Vehicle NavigationIMU, Lidar, Radar, And Star Tracker UsagePerformance AnalysisTest Campaign ExecutionRobust Solution Development

Soft Skills

Team LeadershipCollaborationProblem SolvingCommunication

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree In STEM

Industry Keywords

Extraterrestrial RoversAutonomous VehiclesGPS-Denied NavigationNASA StandardsFlight Operations

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead a small team of engineers to design, characterize, test, verify, and validate localization and perception systems for extra-terrestrial rovers
Bring a navigation and perception solution from early design through flight operations on Astrolab’s CLV-1 lunar rover
Work closely with the software team to implement and test navigation, perception, and obstacle avoidance flight software
Ensure that extra-terrestrial rover navigation and perception solutions are robust, upgradable during flight, and practical
Devise, supervise, and execute navigation and perception system testing with real sensors and flight computers using a test vehicle operating in simulated lunar conditions
Ensure that navigation and perception systems meet performance and NASA human-rated spacecraft system requirements
Design, tune, analyze, and characterize navigation and perception systems for Astrolab’s extraterrestrial rovers
Devise test campaigns in simulated and analog lunar environments and work with the team to execute them
Perform hands-on technical work as part of the rover guidance, navigation, and control team
Work closely with the flight software team to implement and test rover navigation and perception algorithms
Some travel may be required

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
10+ years designing, developing, and testing navigation, localization, and perception systems for rovers, autonomous vehicles, GPS-denied vehicle navigation systems, or similar autonomous or robotic platforms
Experience with practical sensor fusion and Kalman filtering for wheeled vehicle navigation and perception
Experience using sensors with widely different modalities to determine robust navigation and perception solutions, such as IMU, lidar, radar, and star tracker
Experience designing, tuning, developing, analyzing, characterizing, verifying, and validating navigation and perception solutions for wheeled vehicles
Experience developing, testing, and characterizing obstacle detection and avoidance algorithms for wheeled vehicles
Experience addressing real-world issues affecting navigation, localization, and perception system design and performance, including invalid data, dropped packets, data latencies, and blurry images
Experience supporting a navigation/localization system through its entire lifecycle, from early design through live vehicle operations
Experience in C++ and Python programming
Ability to meet performance and NASA human-rated spacecraft system requirements

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
Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks