Katalyst Labs

Senior/Principal Navigation Engineer, Spacecraft

Broomfield, Colorado, United States · Principal

Sponsorship not specified$150k-$200kDetected 53 days ago

PythonC++AlgorithmsComputer VisionRoboticsSensorsCommunicationCollaboration

About the role

Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story.
Katalyst Culture: Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding.
You'll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real.

Build prototype CV pipelines for onboard and simulation environments
Lead integration of camera systems with GNC stack
Develop and validate perception algorithms using synthetic and real datasets
Drive integration and testing of navigation solutions within full system
Proven ability to lead technical projects from concept to deployment
At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions.

Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for algorithm development
Experience with space-based navigation (e.g., RPOD, planetary landing, SSA/SDA)
Experience with OpenCV, ROS, or similar frameworks
Experience with simulation tools and synthetic data generation
Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Compensation and Benefits: Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
The anticipated salary range for this role is $150,000 - $200,000 annually.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst.

Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst.
You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses.
You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.
Architect vision-based navigation systems for autonomous space missions
Deliver a vision-based navigation architecture for SDA/RPOD missions
Bachelor's or higher degree in Aerospace, Robotics, Computer Vision, or related field
5+ years experience in navigation, state estimation, or computer vision systems
Strong experience with computer vision techniques (e.g., SLAM, visual odometry, feature detection)

Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding.
We value humility, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way, even when it's harder.
You'll work closely with thoughtful, driven teammates who push each other to do their best.

This listing is sourced directly from Katalyst Labs's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.