1

Actuator Engineer Jobs in Bothell, WA (NOW HIRING)

GNC ENGINEER, ADCS (STARLINK) SpaceX is looking for engineers with backgrounds in orbital mechanics ... High fidelity time domain 6DOF modeling and simulation of vehicle dynamics, sensors, actuators ...

GNC ENGINEER, ADCS (STARLINK) SpaceX is looking for engineers with backgrounds in orbital mechanics ... High fidelity time domain 6DOF modeling and simulation of vehicle dynamics, sensors, actuators ...

Sr. Controls Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$165K - $190K/yr

This includes motor-driven valve and pump actuation, automated fill/drain/vent/conditioning ... You will work at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering to deliver ...

Sr. Controls Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$165 - $190/hr

This includes motor-driven valve and pump actuation, automated fill/drain/vent/conditioning ... You will work at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering to deliver ...

New

Engineered with a reusable first stage and a seven-meter payload fairing, New Glenn is building the ... Experience with high-pressure fluid systems, including pumps, actuators, valves, accumulators, and ...

Engineered with a reusable first stage and a seven-meter payload fairing, New Glenn is building the ... Experience with high-pressure fluid systems, including pumps, actuators, valves, accumulators, and ...

Senior Simulation and GNC

Seattle, WA · On-site

$156K - $219K/yr

Mentor junior engineers and establish best practices for controls/modeling software quality and reviews Qualifications: * 8+ years developing controls forhigh-reliability electromechanical actuation ...

Key job responsibilities - Design and detail mechanical components and assemblies for robotic hand, forearm, and actuator systems using CAD (SolidWorks or equivalent) - Generate engineering drawings ...

New

Key job responsibilities - Design and detail mechanical components and assemblies for robotic hand, forearm, and actuator systems using CAD (SolidWorks or equivalent) - Generate engineering drawings ...

New

Showing results 21-40

Actuator Engineer information

What does an actuator engineer do?

An Actuator Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing actuators, which are devices that convert energy into motion in mechanical systems. They work on selecting appropriate actuator types (such as electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic), ensuring the devices meet technical requirements, and integrating them into larger systems. Actuator Engineers often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize performance, reliability, and efficiency of the actuators in applications like robotics, automotive, aerospace, and industrial automation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an actuator engineer?

To thrive as an Actuator Engineer, you generally need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, with expertise in electromechanical systems and motion control. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools (such as MATLAB/Simulink), and industry certifications in automation or mechatronics is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help an actuator engineer excel in both design and troubleshooting contexts. These competencies ensure the reliable development and integration of actuators, which are critical for the performance and safety of automated systems.

What are the typical challenges actuator engineers face when integrating actuators into complex systems?

Actuator Engineers often encounter challenges related to ensuring compatibility between actuators and the mechanical, electrical, or control systems they interact with. Common issues include managing space constraints, meeting strict performance requirements, mitigating unwanted vibrations, and ensuring reliable communication with control units. Successful Actuator Engineers collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical designers, software developers, and system integrators, to address these challenges and optimize actuator performance within the overall system.

What is the difference between Actuator Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectActuator EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering; often certifications in control systemsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; may include certifications in CAD or project management
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing actuators, working in R&D labs or manufacturing facilitiesDesigning mechanical systems, working in design offices, manufacturing plants, or field sites
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, robotics, industrial automationAutomotive, aerospace, manufacturing, product design

While both roles involve engineering principles, Actuator Engineers focus specifically on designing and developing actuators used in automation and robotics, whereas Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, working on various mechanical systems and components across industries.

What are popular job titles related to Actuator Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA?

For Actuator Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Actuator Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Actuator Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA are:

What cities near Bothell, WA are hiring for Actuator Engineer jobs?

Cities near Bothell, WA with the most Actuator Engineer job openings:

GNC Engineer, ADCS (Starlink)

SpaceX

Redmond, WA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 149 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
GNC ENGINEER, ADCS (STARLINK)
SpaceX is looking for engineers with backgrounds in orbital mechanics, control theory, state estimation, spacecraft systems design, optimization, physics, and software development to join the Starlink guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) team. Come help us write the autopilot algorithms for thousands of satellites (the world's largest constellation!) and more than two million user terminals, enabling access to high-speed broadband internet in all corners of the world.
As a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) engineer on Starlink's attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) team, you will be responsible for the software automation, operations, and system level design which keeps the satellites and their payloads properly oriented for the entire mission lifetime.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Develop highly reliable and performant GNC algorithms, simulations, tools, services, and dashboards using C++ or Python; Starlink GNC Engineers write actual production code, not just prototypes for transcription by another team
  • Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews
  • Bulk data analysis to review performance data from various elements of the Starlink constellation and network
  • Write high quality technical documentation of programs, algorithms, or analysis
  • Design and implementation of GNC software that can facilitate all mission concepts of operations across all phases of mission, including off-nominal/contingency scenarios
  • Design of concepts of operations (CONOPs) that intelligently balance thermal constraints, power budgets, momentum management, communications, and payload-pointing needs
  • Design, development, and flight software implementation of onboard GNC algorithms to achieve a high level of vehicle autonomy and fault tolerance while providing adequate translational and rotational navigation and control performance
  • Update and maintain GNC software configurations for a variety of minor vehicle design revisions and mission sets
  • High fidelity time domain 6DOF modeling and simulation of vehicle dynamics, sensors, actuators, algorithms, and all of their interactions
  • Monte Carlo simulation analysis to validate safe and reliable flight and quantify navigation and control performance
  • Heavy involvement in hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing efforts, including but not limited to test case design, data review automation, and modeling fidelity improvements
  • Translational and Rotational state estimation and control systems design and optimization
  • Vehicle design activities related to ADCS sensor and actuator hardware sizing and layout
  • Develop, validate, and improve upon complex sensor, actuator, and dynamics models for use in 6DOF simulation analysis
  • Maintain tight interfaces with other disciplines and subsystems (e.g. thermal, power, communications) to ensure a good and consistent system-level design
  • Support your relevant on-call operations rotation, commanding satellites or reviewing network data to keep our network continuously operating at peak performance

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline
  • Software development experience in either C++ or Python

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Some preferred skills and experience depend on the specific team within Starlink GNC.
  • Master's degree or PHD in an engineering discipline or physics
  • Developed, debugged and deployed software that has been used in real world applications/projects
  • Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals
  • Cradle to grave development of three axis stabilized spacecraft incorporating momentum, magnetic, and propulsive control
  • Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, including low thrust trajectory optimization and stationkeeping
  • Experience in verifying GNC algorithm performance via simulation, and validation of the simulation's models
  • Experience with state estimation, particularly attitude determination, orbit determination, GNSS, and radio navigation
  • General familiarity with the disciplines necessary for spacecraft flight including; structures, propulsion, avionics, GNC, flight software, dynamics, launch and mission operations, and integration. Practical experience in real world development of these systems is highly desired
  • Capable of identifying and solving complex problems with little to no supervision or direction
  • Passion for advancing the commercial space industry
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
GNC Engineer/Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year
GNC Engineer/Level II: $145,000.00 - $175,000.00/per year
Your actual level and 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 SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.
ITAR 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. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX 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.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

What SpaceX employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


SpaceX logo

About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US