GNC Spacecraft/Payload Control Systems Analyst

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

401(k) plan

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Telework options

Flexible spending accounts

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Spacecraft/Payload Control Systems Analyst (Senior Member of Technical Staff) in El Segundo, CA. You will design, simulate, and evaluate spacecraft control systems while collaborating with government customers and contractors to ensure mission success.

The role emphasizes analysis, tool development, and ongoing learning, with onsite work at least four days per week and a path toward senior technical leadership in guidance, navigation and control engineering.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering or CS field is required.
• Graduate level coursework or hands-on experience in control system design, estimation theory, or dynamics.
• 1+ years of experience developing control and dynamics simulations.
• Proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Working knowledge of C/C++.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance (US citizenship).

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, analyze, and evaluate spacecraft and payload control systems across diverse programs.
• Support concept development, trade studies, source selections, requirements analyses, and testing.
• Communicate technical results clearly to government customers and contractors.
• Research, develop, and document new analysis tools and techniques.
• Engage with SME s for continuous learning to advance state-of-the-art analyses.

Skills

Control system design

Estimation theory

Dynamics

Simulation development

Education

Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline

Graduate coursework in control/dynamics

Tools

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

Git

Docker

ROS / Gazebo

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the intersection of space vehicle concepts and the enterprise data behind both current and future systems. From this position, VSD delivers innovative, cross-cutting research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; both concept- and tailored-design analysis; assembly, integration, and test support; and operational/mission support. Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical, aerospace, computer science, and electrical engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.Within this division, the Control Analysis Department (CAD) focuses on providing satellite attitude and payload pointing estimation and control system analysis for a wide variety of space programs/systems ranging from DoD and NRO to commercial. Applications may include small pathfinding CubeSats with prototype payloads (weighing a few kilograms total), all the way up to the more exquisite GPS constellation upon which countless users rely every day. In response to the rapidly evolving space environment of today, CAD leverages state-of-the-art tools, techniques, and knowledge to outpace the threat of tomorrow. As part of the Aerospace Corporation FFRDC, however, CAD is also better able to ensure such agile approaches are well-anchored in heritage proficiencies of space vehicle attitude control, dynamics, and estimation and payload pointing. From this fundamental foundation, this department engages in cutting-edge research and applies modern methods to emerging and related topics such as artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotics to solve new and increasingly challenging problems.As a Spacecraft/Payload Control Systems Analyst (Member of Technical Staff/Senior Member of Technical Staff - Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineering), you will work closely with internal and external stakeholders supporting technical oversight analysis of all phases of a program lifecycle: conceptual studies, prototyping, source selection, development, and operations.This position is in El Segundo, requiring at least 4 days onsite.What You’ll Be DoingParticipate in design, simulation, analysis, and evaluation of spacecraft and payload control systems on a variety of National Security Space programs, civil programs, and commercial programsPerform tasks in support of concept development, trade studies, source selections, requirements analyses, risk assessments, design analyses, simulation development, prototyping, test planning and execution, operations support, and anomaly resolutionCommunicate technical results both orally and in writing, interacting directly with government customers, program management, and contractorsResearch, develop, and document new analysis tools and techniquesEngage with subject matter experts in continuous learning to drive the state-of-the-art technical analysisWhat You Need to be SuccessfulMinimum Requirements for a Member of Technical Staff:Master’s degree from an accredited college/university program in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplineGraduate level coursework and/or in-depth, hands-on experience in one or more of the following: control system design and analysis, estimation theory, or dynamicsOne or more years of experience with developing control and dynamics simulationsProficiency with Python and/or MATLAB/SimulinkWorking knowledge with C/C++This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.In addition to the requirements above, the minimum requirements for a Senior Member of Technical Staff are:5 years of related technical experienceProficiency, through PhD research or technical experience, in one or more of the following: control system design and analysis, estimation theory, or multibody dynamicsHow You Can Stand OutIt would be impressive if you have one or more of these:PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplineProficiency with software development: version control (Git), containerization (Docker), cross-platform compatibility (Linux, Windows, Mac), ROS / Gazebo, and distributed computingExperience with special topics including, but not limited to:Rendezvous, proximity, operations, and docking (RPOD) scenariosComputer vision algorithms, image processing, point-cloud analysisMobile robotics, guidance algorithms, trajectory optimizationSimultaneous localization & mapping (SLAM), unscented Kalman filters (UKFs), particle filters, factor graphsData science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, reinforcement learningProficiency with one or more of the following:Payload pointing estimation and controlSpacecraft attitude determination and controlKalman filtering and stochastic processesAdvanced control techniques and applicationsModeling and simulation of control systemsMultibody and flexible body dynamicsImplementation, testing, deploying, and calibration of control systemsActive DoD Top Secret/SCI clearanceWe offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.(Min - Max)$86,600.00 - $150,400.00Pay Basis: AnnualLeadership CompetenciesOur leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:Operate StrategicallyLead ChangeEngage with ImpactFoster InnovationDeliver ResultsWays We Reward Our EmployeesDuring your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:Comprehensive health care and wellness plansPaid holidays, sick time, and vacationStandard and alternate work schedules, including telework options401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hireFlexible spending accountsVariable pay program for exceptional contributionsRelocation assistanceProfessional growth and development programs to help advance your careerEducation assistance programsAn inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respectWe are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.Equal Opportunity CommitmentThe Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .