GN&C Hardware Engineer

Relative Dynamics; United States; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401k with match

PTO

Job summary

Relative Dynamics is seeking a GN&C Hardware Engineer to support the lunar mission portfolio within a hybrid on-site role in Houston, TX. You will work with GN&C avionics and systems teams to specify, integrate, test, and document flight hardware, including sensors, actuators, and camera systems.

Ideal candidates have experience with environmental testing, hardware qualification, and supplier management, and demonstrate strong communication across multidisciplinary teams in a regulated,

Qualifications

• Bachelor, Master, or PhD in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or related field.
• Experience supporting spacecraft GN&C hardware development, integration, or test.
• Experience with aerospace flight hardware suppliers and qualification processes.
• Familiarity with GN&C sensors and actuators (IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, reaction wheels, thrusters).
• Experience with camera design parameters and hardware testing.
• Understanding of spacecraft avionics architectures and interfaces.
• Experience with environmental and functional testing of flight hardware.
• Strong written and verbal communication; teamwork across disciplines.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing program needs.

Responsibilities

• Support selection, specification, and integration of GN&C flight hardware across missions.
• Develop hardware requirements and interface definitions with GN&C avionics and systems teams.
• Support procurement, vendor management, and hardware qualification activities.
• Perform hardware trade studies, performance analyses, and risk assessments.
• Support environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC) and acceptance testing.
• Assist with hardware integration, troubleshooting, and anomaly resolution during AIT.
• Support GN&C hardware verification and validation activities including test planning and execution.
• Contribute to Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and integrated system test campaigns.
• Generate hardware documentation including specs, test procedures, and verification reports.
• Support flight readiness, mission operations preparation, and post-test analysis.

Skills

GN&C hardware integration

Spacecraft electrical systems

Hardware test & qualification

Vibration testing

Technical documentation

Strong communication

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Aerospace/Electrical/Mechanical engineering degree

Tools

ZEMAX

FRED

Job description

At Relative Dynamics we value knowledge as a process rather than knowledge as an answer Founded in 2011 our goal is to define the new space era by continuously pushing the boundaries of engineering services and technology development Visit us at wwwrelativedynamicsspace Relative Dynamics is a subcontractor supporting a Commercial Space contract In this role you will be employed by Relative Dynamics and assigned to work on projects in support of a Commercial Space project Relative Dynamics is seeking a GN&C Hardware Engineer to support the lunar mission portfolio for a Commercial Space customer This is a hybrid role requiring regular on site work in Houston TX This role is not eligible for remote work

What Youll Get to Do

• Support the selection specification and integration of GN&C flight hardware including sensors and actuators across multiple missions.
• Develop hardware requirements and interface definitions in collaboration with GN&C avionics and systems engineering teams.
• Support procurement vendor technical management and hardware qualification activities.
• Perform hardware trade studies performance analyses and risk assessments.
• Support environmental testing vibration thermal vacuum EMIEMC and acceptance testing of GN&C hardware.
• Assist with hardware integration troubleshooting and anomaly resolution during assembly integration and test AIT.
• Support GN&C hardware verification and validation activities including test planning and execution.
• Contribute to hardware in the loop HIL and integrated system test campaigns.
• Generate hardware documentation including specifications test procedures and verification reports.
• Support flight readiness mission operations preparation and post testpost flight analysis as required

What Youll Need

• Bachelors Masters or PhD in Aerospace Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Experience supporting spacecraft GN&C hardware development integration or test
• Experience working with aerospace flight hardware suppliers and qualification processes
• Familiarity with GN&C sensors and actuators such as IMUs star trackers sun sensors reaction wheels and thrusters
• Experience with camera and lens design parameters focal length IFOV FOV etc camera calibration and hardware testing
• Understanding of spacecraft avionics architectures and hardware interfaces
• Experience supporting environmental and functional testing of flight hardware
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Strong analytical troubleshooting and documentation skills
• Flexible and adaptable to changing program needs and schedules

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with integrated optical design and software tools ZEMAX etc multi bounce ray tracing tools FRED etc camera baffledesignand optimization
• Experience with cameraoptical thermal and radiation testing
• Experience with principles of optical navigation andor observational astronomy including image processing as it pertains to spacecraft navigation

Who You Are

• Effective communicator who can translate complex technical concepts across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders
• Customer focused with the ability to support government and agency partners while maintaining high service standards
• Dependable and accountable consistently meeting commitments in regulated and deadline driven environments
• Productive and results oriented balancing quality efficiency and innovation across projects
• Collaborative team player who contributes to shared goals and overall organizational success

What Youll Enjoy

• Grow your career with mobility continuous learning tuition reimbursement and a personal development program in a culture that rewards innovation and impact
• Join a high performing team that works together on meaningful mission driven work and support each other
• Enjoy comprehensive benefits including medical dental vision lifedisability coverage 401k with match PTO company holidays and community engagement opportunities
• Relative Dynamics conducts a comprehensive background check that includes drug testing

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company

We do not discriminate on the basis of race religion national origin gender identity sexual orientation age marital status veteran status or disability status