Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer

SWISSto12 is one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies, evolving from its pioneering use of 3D printing technologies for high-performance Radio Frequency (RF) products and applications to recently announcing the manufacture of entire geostationary telecom satellites, called HummingSat, that define a new category in space.

SWISSto12 is a leading provider of Radio-Frequency (RF) products and sub-systems for aerospace applications. The company’s patented 3D printing technologies and associated product designs are unique to deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF products.

SWISSto12 is also providing the HummingSat as the world’s first commercial telecom GEO SmallSat developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). Its uniquely compact size combined with highly capable telecom payloads allows telecommunications operators to deploy a cost-efficient, compact, and agile asset without sacrificing performance or security. HummingSat has recently been selected by Inmarsat to build three I-8 satellites and in 2022 by Intelsat to build the I-45 satellite.

As a GNC engineer, you will be responsible for the following functions:

Conduct analysis and modelling of GNC systems to meet mission requirements, including attitude determination and control, orbit determination, momentum management, and propulsion manoeuvres.
Design and optimize algorithms and control strategies for satellite attitude and orbit control systems and perform simulations and analysis to validate system performance under various operational scenarios.
Perform GNC system validation campaigns using, for example, worst-case and/or Monte-Carlo approaches.
Participate in the GNC verification and validation efforts, including test definition, testing, data review, and troubleshooting at various levels of hardware in the loop simulation and satellite test.
Provide support to mission operations during satellite launch, orbit raising, and on station operations phases.
Generate quality technical documentation and providing clear and concise presentations.
Collaborate with technical staff, program managers, and executive management.
Occasionally, you will be asked to participate in overall tasks and services inherent to a dynamic fast-growing company.

Required experience and competencies:

Knowledge of controls theory, orbital dynamics, and GNC systems.
Understanding of principles for spacecraft design, manufacture, assembly, integration, test, and operation.
Experience with Matlab/Simulink.
Proven ability to “think outside of the box” and thrive in an often-ambiguous trade-space.
Demonstrated ability to write clear technical documentation of high quality.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ease at working across different cultures and different levels of an organization.
Able to work on a self-initiated basis, while being part of a team.
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, Physics, or equivalent and at least 2 years of relevant experience.
Language: Fluent English is a prerequisite.

Interested applicants are requested to apply through LinkedIn

Working conditions and contract: SWISSto12 offers a full-time contract based in our Lausanne, Switzerland office.

More about SWISSto12: SWISSto12 has successfully established contracts with Inmarsat/ViaSat, Intelsat and ESA for HummingSat as well as contracts for their RF product line in Europe and the US with prominent partners and customers such as Thales, Lockheed Martin, and the ESA. SWISSto12 is a spin off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors. SWISSto12 is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and operates a US-subsidiary in Foster City California. The company is well funded for its near and mid-term developments and backed by a solid customer revenue stream