Cleared Guidance and Control Engineer III - TS/SCI

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plan

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks a cleared Guidance and Control Engineer to advance spacecraft GNC architectures, designs and software. You will contribute to performance validation, flight software, and on-orbit operations within the Control Analysis Group.

Responsibilities include conceiving and testing GNC subsystems, leading teams, and coordinating documentation to ensure delivery readiness. A strong background in aerospace GNC and excellent communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• Engineering degree with 6+ years experience, or Master’s with 4+ years, or PhD with 2+ years.
• Strong background in modern guidance, navigation, estimation and control for aerospace systems.
• Experience in R&D of advanced GNC systems for precision pointing.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Conceive, design, analyze, simulate and evaluate complex GNC subsystem performance.
• Deliver advanced algorithms and flight software for integration and test at subsystem and system levels.
• Develop and execute detailed subsystem test and verification plans at system level.
• Lead teams that develop and operate GNC systems and coordinate validation and documentation.

Skills

GNC design

Kalman filtering

Matlab/Simulink

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering

Master's in related field

PhD (preferred)

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence. This unique opportunity is part of the Mechanical Control Systems Division, which is responsible for technology development, advanced concepts, design, development, delivery, integration and test, verification and validation, and operation of complex Mechanical, Thermal, Propulsion, Robotics, and Guidance and Control (G&C) systems. As a cleared Guidance and Control Engineer at JPL, you will work for the Guidance and Control Section in the Control Analysis Group. You will contribute to the advancement and development of spacecraft and payload/instrument guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) architectures, designs, algorithms, simulations, flight software implementations, performance validation and on-orbit commissioning and operations.

• Responsibilities include: Conceiving, designing, analyzing, simulating, and evaluating complex GNC subsystem performance
• Delivering advanced algorithms and associated flight software code for integration and test at the GNC subsystem and system level
• Developing and executing detailed subsystem test and verification plans at the system level
• Leading teams that develop and operate GNC systems and coordinating the validation and documentation of subsystem performance prior to delivery

Required Qualifications:

• MUST HAVE AN ACTIVE TS/SCI CLEARANCE
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 4 years of experience; or a PhD with a minimum of 2 years of experience.
• Strong technical background in modern guidance, navigation, estimation, and control for aerospace systems
• Experience in the research and development of advanced GNC systems for precision pointing
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams and lead technical efforts; excellent communication and presentation skills

Highly desired experience includes:

• GNC system architectures
• Precision payload dynamics and controls
• Advanced control methods (linear and nonlinear)
• Estimation (Kalman filtering, random processes, nonlinear filtering, computer vision)
• Linear and nonlinear dynamics, multi‑rigid‑body dynamics
• On‑board guidance and navigation (optimization, convex methods)
• Attitude estimation and control
• Precision pointing control
• Pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems
• GNC for autonomous aerial vehicles
• Rotorcraft dynamics and control
• Vision‑based navigation
• Terrain‑relative navigation (TRN)
• 3D lidar‑based navigation
• Fast steering mirror control
• High‑bandwidth mechatronics
• Active and passive vibration control
• Control of gimbaled or articulated platforms
• Controlled optics
• Optical wavefront and path‑length control
• Structural modeling and finite element analysis
• GNC‑related on‑board and ground calibration
• Integrated modeling (flexible structures/optics/thermal, dynamics and control)
• Time‑domain simulation and multi‑rate systems
• Small spacecraft design
• Multi‑vehicle formation flying
• Control of large monolithic or segmented telescopes
• Control of large distributed systems
• Aerodynamic control for deep‑space planetary exploration
• Comfortable working with Matlab/Simulink

Additional desired experience:

• Strong background in technology development
• Experience with instrument/optical pointing systems and integrated GNC hardware/software
• Experience with lasers, detectors, fast steering mirrors, and high‑rate control systems
• Experience in autonomous system design and spacecraft autonomy
• Demonstrated ability to manage cost and schedule in new technology development
• General familiarity with signal processing

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$145,808 - $182,728

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.