GNC Engineer

SpaceWorks Enterprises; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Telework options

401k + company match

Bonuses

Job summary

SpaceWorks Enterprises is seeking a GNC engineer to design and implement guidance, navigation, and control for hypersonic and Earth-to-orbit vehicle concepts. You will model and simulate high-speed flight systems, develop trajectory strategies, and optimize performance within an integrated MDAO environment.

You will collaborate with a small, multidisciplinary team, contribute to existing code bases, and advance verification through rigorous analysis and testing.

Qualifications

• Experience modeling and/or simulating supersonic/hypersonic vehicles in multi-DoF.
• Work in a small multidisciplinary team to design complex systems and contribute to code bases.
• Background in high-speed flight systems including exo/endo-atmospheric and re-entry.
• U.S. citizen with ability to obtain DoD Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop GNC architectures based on program requirements.
• Conduct navigation performance approximations and trajectory optimization.
• Perform actuator sizing, inertial navigation analysis, and aero/vehicle modeling.
• Integrate simulations into an MDAO design environment.
• Create multi-objective gain scheduling for aerodynamically controlled vehicles.

Skills

Guidance Algorithms

Navigation Analysis

6-DoF Simulation

Flight Testing

Education

Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Matlab

Python

Julia

C++

Rust

Job description

SPACEWORKS

At SpaceWorks Enterprises, we specialize in next-generation high-speed flight systems, human and robotic spacecraft, as well as entry, descent & landing technologies. Our core competencies include conducting preliminary design of aerospace concepts, performing detailed multidisciplinary engineering analysis, developing commercial aerospace software, prototyping spacecraft hardware components, and conducting market and economic research within the aerospace industry. We serve clients from the Department of Defense, NASA, and the commercial space sector.

THE ROLE

SpaceWorks is seeking GNC engineers with a focus on designing and developing next-generation hypersonic flight vehicles, Earth-to-orbit launch systems, human and robotic spacecraft, and space re-entry vehicles. Seeking domain expertise in Guidance Algorithms, Navigation Analysis, 6-DoF Simulation & Modeling and Flight Testing.

A successful candidate will:

• Have intuition and experience modeling and/or simulating supersonic/hypersonic aircraft and/or spacecraft in a multi-DoF simulation.
• Able to work well as part of a small multidisciplinary team of technical staff to design complex systems and contribute to existing code bases.
• Exhibit a "can do" and "want to" attitude - bringing an open-minded approach and a bias toward finding solutions.
• Have experience supporting activities in modeling, simulation, analysis and design of high-speed flight systems including exo-atmospheric, endo-atmospheric, re-entry, and launch systems.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

GNC Engineer:

• Develop Guidance, Navigation, and Control Architectures based on program requirements.
• Conduct engineering approximations for expected navigation performance.
• Conduct Actuator Sizing and Analysis, Inertial Navigation Analysis, aerodynamic vehicle modes assessment.
• Develop and optimize trajectories using 3-DoF, 4-DoF & 6-DoF flight software.
• Apply a strong understanding of closed loop guidance laws, such as Proportional Navigation, ZEM/ZEV, or reference trajectory tracking laws.
• Include synthesis of mass, aero, propulsion, and structure models and constraints.
• Include development of multi-objective functions to develop and optimize gain scheduled tables for aerodynamically-controlled vehicles.
• Perform Monte Carlo (probabilistic analyses) to understand off-nominal closed-loop G/N/C performance.
• Integrate simulations into an MDAO design environment.

WHAT WE OFFER

At SpaceWorks, we believe in cultivating a culture that offers the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. It is our firm belief that work-life balance is critical to strong, happy, healthy employees. As we challenge what is possible and push the boundaries of innovation, we stand together as a team. Here you will find a community that is dedicated to our mission as well as your personal goals. Here are just a few of the benefits we offer to our employees:

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage options including medical, telemedicine, vision, dental, long-term disability, short term disability, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts
• Flexible work schedules - the position is in-office at our facility in Atlanta, GA, however we do offer telework days, compressed workweek options, core hours, and flex time to provide flexibility to our employees
  
• Time to reset - paid time off, holidays, parental leave, and sabbatical leave
  
• 401k + company match, opportunities for bonuses, employee experience events throughout the year, employee assistance program, and more

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s, Master'sor Doctorate degree in Aerospace Engineering
• Relevant work or project experience in Guidance, Navigation, Control, Modeling & Simulation, and Flight Testing
• Relevant work or project experience in the design/modeling of hypersonic atmospheric vehicles, Earth-to-orbit launch systems, or human & robotic spacecraft
• Experience in multidisciplinary design optimization in Matlab, Python, and/or Julia
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary, collaborative environment with ownership and autonomy typical of a small business
• Must be a U.S. citizenand be immediately eligible to obtain a DoD Secret Security Clearance

BONUS POINTS IF YOU HAVE...

• 3+ years of related aerospace industry experiencecontributing technically as a flight performance engineerprimarily within conceptdevelopment, requirements definition, preliminarydesign,and detailed design
• High level disciplinary experience with multidisciplinaryanalysis andoptimization of high-speed flight and/or launch vehicle design
• Industry experience in modeling and testing flight software and hardware and implementation of Software-in-the-loop / Hardware-in-the-loop ground tests
• Experience writing DO-178C compliant flight software and working directly in compiled languages such as C++ and/or Rust
• Experience in relevant aerospace-oriented, flight development programs (e.g. UAVs, missiles, CubeSats)
• Basic knowledge of Monte Carlo analysis, uncertainty analysis, or risk analysis
• Smallbusiness experience

SpaceWorks is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.