Autonomy Engineer

Company Overview

Fortastra designs and delivers resilient, high-performance spacecraft that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale. Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution empowering every engineer to think systemically, act decisively, and build with purpose. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars.

We recently raised $8M in seed capital and are led by visionary founder and former Hermeus co-founder, Mike Smayda.

Team / Department

You will join Fortastra’s Engineering Division, responsible for the design, development, and test of flight systems across our autonomous spacecraft portfolio.

The Role 

Fortastra is seeking an Autonomy Engineer. You will focus on the tactical execution of our autonomous spacecraft by developing the software and algorithms that enable multi-agent coordination, vehicle navigation, and trajectory planning across a distributed spacecraft constellation. You’ll work closely with GNC and Flight Software engineers to implement and validate onboard autonomy, from simulation to on-orbit operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Build autonomy algorithms for multi-agent spacecraft coordination, drawing from paradigms in UAVs, drones, and advanced driver assistance systems.
• Develop vehicle navigation and trajectory planning software tailored to space mission constraints and safety requirements.
• Design and implement multi-sensor fusion approaches, with emphasis on camera-based perception and familiarity with radar and lidar.
• Contribute to edge compute selection and trade studies for onboard autonomy, including watchdog concepts and reliability considerations.
• Develop and integrate autonomy capabilities within Fortastra’s proprietary simulation environment and ROS-based toolchains.
• Implement autonomy software in Python and C++, targeting Linux (Ubuntu) environments and eventual flight software integration.
• Define and support failure operation modes and contingency behaviors for spacecraft autonomy.
• Collaborate with GNC, avionics, and flight software teams to define interfaces, data models, and test strategies for autonomy features.

Qualifications & Skills

• B.S. Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Robotics, or other sciences and/or physics-based degree.
• 2–5 years of industry experience in robotics, autonomy, or related fields (not including internships; exceptional internship experience considered).
• Experience in robotics or autonomous systems, including vehicle navigation and trajectory/motion planning.
• Proficiency in software development with Python and C++.
• Familiarity with Linux (Ubuntu) development environments.
• Experience with simulation tools such as ROS or similar robotics frameworks.
• Understanding of safety-critical or failure modes for complex systems (spacecraft, automotive, aviation, industrial, or robotics).
• Exposure to sensor fusion concepts (camera, radar, lidar) and active safety systems or ADAS is a plus.
• Comfort using modern agentic AI tools (e.g., Claude) in the development workflow.
• Ability to work independently and in small, fast-moving teams.
• Work is on-site, remote or hybrid arrangements will not be considered.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain or have an active TS/SCI clearance (US Person considered).

Why Fortastra

We are a small, high-impact team building the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. At Fortastra, leaders own outcomes from first principles through flight and directly shape the future of resilient, mission-critical spacecraft autonomy.

FORTASTRA TALENT & CULTURE PRINCIPLES

Values Driven by First Principles

We value engineers and operators who prioritize sound judgment, candor, technical rigor, bias for action, and intellectual honesty over corporate consensus. We care about the caliber of the system you build and the speed at which you solve problems.

Talent Density Over Headcount

A high-performing startup is built on dense talent, not organizational bloat. A single exceptional engineer designs, tests, and delivers faster than a bloated committee. We intentionally maintain a lean, elite engineering crew where every contributor directly moves the needle on the mission. 

High Autonomy, High Ownership

We hire domain experts to execute, not to micromanage them. You own your systems end-to-end, from initial architecture and hardware design to testing and deployment. With absolute ownership comes the responsibility to deliver mission critical reliability. 

Mission Context Over Bureaucracy

The best execution happens when teams are provided clear technical objectives, constraints, and operational context, rather than rigid top-down policies. We strip away red tape so builders can iterate, make decisions, and push hardware and flight software forward rapidly. 

Disciplined Speed & Flight Rigor

We move fast because we test often and kill artificial bottlenecks, not because we cut corners. Rapid iteration on the test stand and in simulation is how we learn; an uncompromising flight-readiness bar is how we earn trust. Precision without friction, speed without recklessness.

Direct Impact, Not Career Bureaucracy

You don’t come to Fortastra to climb a corporate ladder or manage slide decks; you come to build complex, flight-ready systems from day one. Growth here is organic, driven by the magnitude of technical challenges you solve and the trust you build across the team. 

Benefits

We take care of our employees so they can focus on what matters most: family, well-being, and life outside of work.

Unlimited Paid Time Off so that you have the time you need to rest and recharge.

Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, because peace of mind starts with feeling cared for.

Equity: Share in Fortastra's success with equity in the company you're helping build.

401(k): A 401(k) plan to help you invest in your future and plan for what's ahead.

Social Events: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities that make this a place people are glad to be part of.

The pay range for this role is $120,000.00 - $170,000.00. Where an offer falls within that range depends on factors like your qualifications, experience, location, and interview performance, which we weigh against the market rate for the position.

Recruiters & Agencies: Fortastra does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from recruiters, agencies, or third parties. Any candidate submitted without a signed agreement and prior written authorization from Fortastra will not be subject to any fee, and no relationship is implied. Please do not contact Fortastra employees, hiring managers, or recruiting team directly.