Joseph Starek
About Joseph Starek
Joseph Starek is a Software Engineer with extensive experience in research, teaching, and NASA projects, specializing in control code and decision logic. He has worked at notable organizations such as Nuro, Stanford University, and NASA Ames Research Center, and holds degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Aeronautics & Astronautics.
Work at Nuro
Joseph Starek has been employed at Nuro as a Software Engineer since 2017. His role involves designing, developing, and testing control code and decision logic for autonomous vehicles. Starek's experience in both research and practical engineering allows him to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences. His work contributes to Nuro's mission of advancing automation in transportation.
Education and Expertise
Joseph Starek holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) and a Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, completed between 2006 and 2010. He furthered his education at Stanford University, where he earned a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from 2011 to 2016. Starek specializes in sampling-based motion planning, trajectory optimization, vehicle safety, and orbital mechanics.
Background
Starek's professional background includes a variety of roles in engineering and research. He worked as a Systems Engineer at NASA Ames Research Center in 2011 and served as a PhD Graduate Research Assistant at Stanford University from 2011 to 2016. He also gained experience as an Engineering Co-op at General Electric in 2008 and as a Dynamics and Control Analyst Specialist at SSL from 2016 to 2017.
Achievements
Joseph Starek has over eight years of experience in simulating spacecraft attitude dynamics and designing orbits, contributing to multiple mission concepts at NASA. He has developed algorithms for trajectory planning for robots, including work on a 4-DOF manipulator arm and a 3-DOF free-flying air-bearing robot. Additionally, he has over four years of experience in assistant teaching collegiate courses in engineering mechanics and robust feedback control.
Technical Skills
Starek is proficient in several programming languages, including MATLAB, C/C++, Python, and Visual Basic. His technical skills support his work in developing control systems and algorithms for robotics and aerospace applications. His expertise in vehicle control performance and automation reflects his belief in the potential of these technologies to enable new capabilities.