Optical Navigation Engineer

About the role

Columbus Technologies & Services is seeking a highly skilled professional to support the development and flight software implementation of advanced optical navigation image processing algorithms.

Responsibilities

• The development and implementation of advanced optical navigation image processing algorithms into flight software.
• Perform rigorous testing, performance benchmarking, and continuous improvement of celestial, limb, and terrain-relative navigation (TRN) algorithms for lunar and airless body environments.
• Develop, implement, and test novel, map-free terrain-relative navigation image processing algorithms based on visual odometry.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering.
• Demonstrated professional or advanced academic experience in spacecraft navigation, flight software development, or a related aerospace field.
• Programming & Flight Software: Proficiency in C++, Python, and MATLAB for algorithm development, data analysis, and flight software implementation.
• Computer Vision: Strong experience utilizing OpenCV (and related libraries) for image processing, feature extraction, and visual odometry.
• Navigation Expertise: Deep understanding of optical navigation (OpNav) techniques, including celestial, limb, and Terrain-Relative Navigation (TRN).
• Map-Free Navigation: Deep understanding of visual odometry and map-free navigation methodologies.
• Algorithm Testing: Proven ability to design and execute rigorous performance benchmarking and testing for spaceflight navigation software.
• Domain Knowledge: Knowledge of the unique environmental challenges and orbital mechanics related to the Moon and other airless bodies.

Desired Skills

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical mindset to debug legacy code and troubleshoot complex sensor integration issues.
• Communication: Ability to present technical data and collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Ability to work in a team environment.