Lodestar
Software Engineer - Localization, State Estimation & Prediction Los Angeles/San
Lodestar, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
About Lodestar
Lodestar's mission is to develop the first "Protect and Defend" capability for high-value space assets in orbit. Our flagship product MITHRIL is our hardware-agnostic, AI-enabled autonomy software suite that enables us to augment any off-the-shelf spacecraft with the ability to autonomously detect, characterise, and reversibly neutralise orbital threats. By building on the proven space heritage of our best-in-class satellite-bus partners and fully integrating MITHRIL into single unified platform, we deliver an end-to-end, autonomous in-space bodyguarding service. About the Job
At Lodestar, as a Software Engineer - Localization, State Estimation & Prediction ,youll be leading the development of our state estimation and prediction models at the core of Lodestars flagship product, MITHRIL . Youll be focusing on researching and developing algorithms that fuse probabilistic estimation with machine learning to track targets, predict trajectories and assess intent. What Youll Do
Design and implement Lodestars core state estimation and prediction architecture for autonomous spacecraft operations Research and implement novel estimation and prediction algorithms - everything from lit. review, through training and tuning, to optimisation and deployment Develop classical and neural estimators to track the current state and trajectory of multiple dynamic targets in real time Create neural models to forecast future trajectories and behavioral patterns of targets Implement intent inference models to identify actions and dynamically rank threat levels Integrate state estimation and prediction models into mission simulation environments and autonomy decision systems Collaborate with cross-functional teams including, perception, and on-board autonomy to ensure prediction fidelity, robustness, and scalability across missions Basic Qualifications
Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, a related field, or equivalent experience 2+ years of distinguished industry experience in state estimation, aerospace, robotics, or a related field Strong proficiency in C++ and Python Demonstrated experience with probabilistic state estimation (Kalman filters, particle filters, Bayesian inference) Experience with deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) for sequence modeling (seq2seq, RNNs, LSTMs, Transformers) Familiarity with trajectory modeling, multi-body dynamics, or orbital mechanics Preferred Skills & Experience
Track record implementing state estimation pipelines in real-time or safety-critical systems Experience deploying sequence-to-sequence models for forecasting in dynamic environments Familiarity with sensor fusion techniques (e.g., combining radar, optical, and inertial data) Proficiency with GPU acceleration (CUDA, TensorRT) for neural network training and inference Experience with Linux, Git, and CI/CD pipelines Comfortable with containerization tools such as Docker and Kubernetes Familiarity with real-time systems, multi-threading, and performance optimization Strong understanding of networking and communication protocols for distributed autonomy systems Additional Requirements
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical project milestones and deadlines To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITARhere . Pay Range:
(E1) Junior Software Engineer: $120,000 - $140,000 / year (E2) Software Engineer: $135,000 - $170,000 / year (E3) Senior Software Engineer: Competitive
Meaningful equity incentives as part of our employee option pool Flexible PTO with generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave 401(k) retirement plan with company match LA or San Francisco Additional Information
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options , and access to medical, vision and dental coverage , as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan . Lodestar is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Lodestar is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at Lodestar? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. Apply for this job
* indicates a required field First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Resume/CV * Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Education Degree * Select... End date year * LinkedIn Profile Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Website Lodestar Space is required to comply with US export compliance law including the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These regulations restrict whom Lodestar Space can share materials with, and whom can receive those materials. This includes hardware and information. Access to these materials is required to undertake roles at Lodestar Space; being unable to meet the export compliance requirements means that you will be ineligible to work for Lodestar Space. Do you consent to Lodestar Space requesting information regarding citizenship, passports and visas in order to proceed with your application? * Select... What citizenship(s) do you hold? Please select all that apply. * Select... What citizenship(s) have you previously held? Please select all that apply. * Select... Are you currently eligible to work in the United States of America? * Select... Do you now or in the future require visa sponsorship to continue working in the United States? * Select... Do any of the following designations apply to you: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (aka green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158? * Select... Do you have any previous or pending criminal convictions or charges (including drink or drug-related driving convictions) ? * Select... What is your notice period/ availability? * #J-18808-Ljbffr
Lodestar's mission is to develop the first "Protect and Defend" capability for high-value space assets in orbit. Our flagship product MITHRIL is our hardware-agnostic, AI-enabled autonomy software suite that enables us to augment any off-the-shelf spacecraft with the ability to autonomously detect, characterise, and reversibly neutralise orbital threats. By building on the proven space heritage of our best-in-class satellite-bus partners and fully integrating MITHRIL into single unified platform, we deliver an end-to-end, autonomous in-space bodyguarding service. About the Job
At Lodestar, as a Software Engineer - Localization, State Estimation & Prediction ,youll be leading the development of our state estimation and prediction models at the core of Lodestars flagship product, MITHRIL . Youll be focusing on researching and developing algorithms that fuse probabilistic estimation with machine learning to track targets, predict trajectories and assess intent. What Youll Do
Design and implement Lodestars core state estimation and prediction architecture for autonomous spacecraft operations Research and implement novel estimation and prediction algorithms - everything from lit. review, through training and tuning, to optimisation and deployment Develop classical and neural estimators to track the current state and trajectory of multiple dynamic targets in real time Create neural models to forecast future trajectories and behavioral patterns of targets Implement intent inference models to identify actions and dynamically rank threat levels Integrate state estimation and prediction models into mission simulation environments and autonomy decision systems Collaborate with cross-functional teams including, perception, and on-board autonomy to ensure prediction fidelity, robustness, and scalability across missions Basic Qualifications
Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, a related field, or equivalent experience 2+ years of distinguished industry experience in state estimation, aerospace, robotics, or a related field Strong proficiency in C++ and Python Demonstrated experience with probabilistic state estimation (Kalman filters, particle filters, Bayesian inference) Experience with deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) for sequence modeling (seq2seq, RNNs, LSTMs, Transformers) Familiarity with trajectory modeling, multi-body dynamics, or orbital mechanics Preferred Skills & Experience
Track record implementing state estimation pipelines in real-time or safety-critical systems Experience deploying sequence-to-sequence models for forecasting in dynamic environments Familiarity with sensor fusion techniques (e.g., combining radar, optical, and inertial data) Proficiency with GPU acceleration (CUDA, TensorRT) for neural network training and inference Experience with Linux, Git, and CI/CD pipelines Comfortable with containerization tools such as Docker and Kubernetes Familiarity with real-time systems, multi-threading, and performance optimization Strong understanding of networking and communication protocols for distributed autonomy systems Additional Requirements
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical project milestones and deadlines To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITARhere . Pay Range:
(E1) Junior Software Engineer: $120,000 - $140,000 / year (E2) Software Engineer: $135,000 - $170,000 / year (E3) Senior Software Engineer: Competitive
Meaningful equity incentives as part of our employee option pool Flexible PTO with generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave 401(k) retirement plan with company match LA or San Francisco Additional Information
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options , and access to medical, vision and dental coverage , as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan . Lodestar is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Lodestar is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at Lodestar? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. Apply for this job
* indicates a required field First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Resume/CV * Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Education Degree * Select... End date year * LinkedIn Profile Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Website Lodestar Space is required to comply with US export compliance law including the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These regulations restrict whom Lodestar Space can share materials with, and whom can receive those materials. This includes hardware and information. Access to these materials is required to undertake roles at Lodestar Space; being unable to meet the export compliance requirements means that you will be ineligible to work for Lodestar Space. Do you consent to Lodestar Space requesting information regarding citizenship, passports and visas in order to proceed with your application? * Select... What citizenship(s) do you hold? Please select all that apply. * Select... What citizenship(s) have you previously held? Please select all that apply. * Select... Are you currently eligible to work in the United States of America? * Select... Do you now or in the future require visa sponsorship to continue working in the United States? * Select... Do any of the following designations apply to you: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (aka green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158? * Select... Do you have any previous or pending criminal convictions or charges (including drink or drug-related driving convictions) ? * Select... What is your notice period/ availability? * #J-18808-Ljbffr