Spacecraft Descent Guidance, Navigation, and Control Sensor Engineer (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Spacecraft Descent Guidance, Navigation, and Control Sensor Engineer (Aerospace): Designing and developing GNC sensors for lunar transfer vehicles with an accent on requirements definition, hardware integration, and environmental testing. Focus on optimizing Doppler LiDAR, Flash LiDAR, and navigation cameras to ensure precise landing and autonomous hazard detection.

Location: Hybrid in Tokyo, Japan

Company

hirify.global is a company dedicated to lunar exploration and the development of lunar transfer vehicles.

What you will do

• Develop GNC sensors (Doppler LiDAR, Flash LiDAR, rangefinders, cameras), managing requirements, selection, and procurement.
• Build sensor models based on operating principles to define and manage technical requirements.
• Integrate GNC sensors into the lander and design tests based on operating principle models and failure mode analysis.
• Perform environmental testing (vibration, thermal, vacuum, radiation) and conduct field performance verification.
• Execute system-level testing using Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations and FM environments.
• Support flight operations, sensor commissioning, and the development of vision-based navigation and hazard detection algorithms.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in developing active sensors (Doppler/Flash LiDAR, laser rangefinders) and cameras.
• Ability to deeply understand sensor operating principles and construct corresponding models.
• Business level English communication skills.
• Enthusiastic attitude and ability to work effectively as a team player.

Nice to have

• 10+ years of experience in active sensor development.
• Experience with spacecraft development, operation, and standards (NASA-STD, ECSS, JAXA-STD, MIL-STD).
• Proficiency in C, Python, Git, and Linux.
• Business level Japanese communication skills.

Culture & Benefits

• Opportunity to contribute to pioneering lunar exploration missions.
• Collaborative environment working across systems, avionics, and AIT engineering teams.
• Hybrid work arrangement in the Tokyo Engineering Office.
• Direct involvement in spacecraft flight operations and commissioning.