Software Engineer - Rover Sensor Integration

Starpath is building the technology to enable human expansion into the Solar System. We are developing a complete end-to-end system for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on the Moon and Mars. We plan to launch autonomous rovers to the Moon that will gather icy regolith from permanently-shadowed regions of craters near the Lunar South Pole and deliver that regolith to an automated plant that can process it into liquid oxygen, which will be used to refuel landers for their return flights to Earth.

If high ownership, fast pace, and doing hands-on work that will enable our rovers to explore and mine the Moon sounds like a dream come true, come join the team!

In this role, you will be responsible for developing software and working with hardware to integrate the sensors that will allow our rovers to navigate on the Moon. This role includes writing low-level sensor drivers as well as developing perception software that can integrate with our autonomy system for use in localization, mapping, obstacle avoidance, and path planning in 3D lunar terrain. This role also involves integrating cameras and other sensors to support remote teleoperation from Earth. This is very much a hands-on position that will involve working with rover hardware in the lab and participating in tests of rover navigation at remote desert test sites.

• Write serial drivers for communicating with sensors such as IMUs and star trackers.

• Test and optimize performance of star trackers through testing at night in the desert.

• Write camera software to support remote teleoperation of rovers from Earth.

• Integrate IR spectrometer for detection of water ice on the Moon.

• Support tests of sensor hardware under the radiation, vibration, and thermal/vacuum conditions expected on a lunar mission.

• Support integrated test of autonomous rovers at remote desert test sites.

• Experience programming in Python

• Experience working with sensors

• Evidence of exceptional engineering ability

• Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field OR demonstrated excellence at coding via significant professional experience

• Outstanding communications skills

• A strong interest in working hands-on with robot hardware

• A desire to make humans a multi-planet species

• Experience programming in C/C++

• Experience developing robot software using ROS or ROS2

• Experience developing software to control real robots

• Experience working with serial devices (e.g. sensors, actuators)

• Experience developing and deploying software in production

• Excellence in academic performance or extracurriculars

• Leadership experience in extracurricular or professional settings

• Location: Los Angeles - Hawthorne

• Salary base rate is $100-175k/yr plus equity package; compensation scales with candidate experience

• PTO & health/dental/vision coverage included

• Willingness to work extended hours as needed

EAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State