Cleared Guidance and Control Engineer III - TS/SCI

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 146,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory seeks a cleared Guidance and Control Engineer in Pasadena, California to advance GNC architectures, designs, simulations, and flight software. You will lead teams, deliver algorithms, and verify performance for spaceflight systems with an emphasis on precision pointing and autonomous operations.

The role requires an active TS/SCI clearance and a strong background in modern GNC, Kalman filtering, and multi‑rigid‑body dynamics, along with effective communication and

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

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Guidance & control systems

Team leadership

Communication skills

GNC architectures

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical or Computer Engineering (related)

Master’s degree in a related field

PhD in a related field

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

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. 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

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.

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth‑orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world‑leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space‑based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance. Above all, we are explorers.

At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.